Answer:
9 centimeters
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the width be represented by l - 5, where l is the length.
Use the area formula, A = lw, and plug in l - 5 as w, and 36 as the area. Then, simplify and factor
A = lw
36 = l(l - 5)
36 = l² - 5l
0 = l² - 5l - 36
Factor:
(l - 9)(l + 4)
Set equal to zero and solve for both solutions:
(l - 9)(l + 4) = 0
l - 9 = 0
l = 9
l + 4 = 0
l = -4
The length cannot be negative, so the answer has to be 9.
The length is 9 centimeters
