Question a-rect

2.2 Nonlinear Equations in One Variable - Quadratic solving (factoring, quadratic formula, completing square)
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A rectangle has a length of x units and a width of x-15 units. If the rectangle has an area of 76 square units, what is the value of x ?

A.

4

B.

19

C.

23

D.

76

A rectangle has a length of x units and a width of x - 15 units.

Medium-difficulty · SAT Math · Nonlinear Equations in One Variable — Quadratic solving (factoring, quadratic formula, completing square). Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice B is correct. The area of a rectangle is equal to its length multiplied by its width. Multiplying the given length, x units, by the given width, x-15 units, yields xx-15 square units. If the rectangle has an area of 76 square units, it follows that xx-15=76, or x2-15x=76. Subtracting 76 from both sides of this equation yields x2-15x-76=0. Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields x-19x+4=0. Applying the zero product property to this equation yields two solutions: x = 19 and x = -4 . Since x is the rectangle’s length, in units, which must be positive, the value of x is 19 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the width, in units, of the rectangle, not the value of x .

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the area, in square units, of the rectangle, not the value of x .