A rectangular vegetable garden will have a width that is 2 feet less than the length, and an area of 48 square feet. If x represents the length, then the length can be found by solving the equation: x(x-2)=48
so x²-2x=48. Add 1 to each side: x²-2x+1=49, so (x-1)²=49 and x-1=±7 so x=8 or -6. Another way to solve: x²-2x-48=0=(x+6)(x-8) so x=8 or -6. However, the length must be positive so the length is 8 and the width is 6.
