Set up an algebraic equation and then solve the following problems. the length of a rectangle is twice that of its width. if the area of the rectangle is 72 square inches, then find the length and width.

Let's call the length and the width . Based on this, we can say:

Information given in the problem

Substitution and simplifying

No changes from the previous equation, but focus on this part

Divide both sides by 2

Solve for by finding the square root of both sides of the equation

is an extraneous solution because you can't have a negative side length

Find the length to complete the problem

The width of the rectangle is 6 inches and the length of the rectangle is 12 in.