width: W = 2L-5
area: A = 700 sq in
A=L*W, so L = A/W. Thus, L = (700 sq in) / (2L - 5 in)
Solve this for L. Mult both sides of this equation by (2L-5), obtaining
L(2L-5) = 700. Then, 2L^2 - 5L - 700 = 0
Using the quadratic formula to solve for L:
-(-5) plus or minus sqrt( [-5]^2 - 4[2][-700] )
L = ------------------------------------------------------------
2[2]
5 plus or minus sqrt(25+5600)
= ----------------------------------------------
4
5 plus or minus sqrt(5625) 5 plus or minus 75
= ------------------------------------- = ---------------------------
4 4
= 20 or -17.5. choose the positive result. Thus, L = 20 inches, and
W = 2(20 in) - 5 in = 35 inches.