Applications of Quadratic Equations

The top of a coffee table is 3 feet longer than it is wide and has an area of 10 square feet. What are the dimensions of the top of the coffee table?

GEOMETRY

Let's draw a picture: L = w + 3

Let width = w w

Area = length x width

10 = (w+3)w Solve this by multiplying out and getting everything on one side = 0 and factoring0 = w2 + 3w - 10

0 = (w +5)(w-2)

w + 5 = 0 or w – 2 = 0

w = -5 or w = 2

Since width can't be negative throw out –5 and width is 2 feet

L = 2 + 3 = 5 feet

2 feet

5 feet

Applications of Quadratic Equations