Math (word problem using the quaratic formula)?

The worlds largest hedge maze is in the grounds of an eglish country house known as Longleat. The rectangle maze has 2.7 km of paths flanked by 26 180 yew trees. The length of the rectangle is 60 m more than the width. The area of the rectangle is 6496 m^2. What are the dimensions of the rectangle?

Math (word problem using the quaratic formula)?
A = l(w)

w = x

l = x + 60

A = x(x + 60) = x^2 + 60x

A = 6496

x^2 + 60x = 6496

x^2 + 60 - 6496 = 0



if it factors, because a = 1,

two numbers multiplied equals -6496

but subtracted equals +60



(-56)(116) = -6496

-56 + 116 = 60



so,



(x + 116)(x - 56) = 0

x = - 116 , which is silly since x = width and width cannot be -

so, x = 56



The width is 56 and the lenght is 116
Reply:x = width

x+60 = the length

x(x +60) = 6496

x^2 +60x -6496 =0

To use the quadratic formula use a=1, b= 60 and c = -6496.

x = (-60 +- sqrt(60^2 -4*1*-6496))/2*1

Do this on a calculator

Factoring

(x+ 116)(x -56) = 0

x = -116 or x = 56

Cannot use a negative because these are measures, so the width is 56 meters and the length is 56 + 60 or 116 meters.



When you use the quadratic formula you will get these 2 answers.
Reply:If width=x, then length=x+60. Then we can make quadratic equation x(x+60)=6496. Write it out using standard quadratic form x^2+60x-6496=0. Solve using the quadratic formula where x=(-b+- SQRT(b^2-4ac))/2a. Answer is width=56, and length =56+60=116.