Area is L*W = 60 m^2, so that L=(60 m^2)/W.
Perimeter is P = 2W + 2L, or P = 2W + 2[60 m^2]/W
Since we know that the perimeter is 32 meters, 2W + 120/W = 32 (meters)
Multiplying all terms by W: 2W^2 + 120 = 32W,
or
w^2 + 60 = 16w, or w^2 - 16w + 60 = 0.
Using the Quadratic Formula to find w:
-(-16) plus or minus sqrt(20)
w = -----------------------------------------
2
16 plus or minus 2sqrt(5)
= ------------------------------------
2
= 8 plus or minus sqrt(5). This produces 2 positive solutions. Since w represents width, discard any negative result. You may have to check twice, since you will have 2 different widths.
