Answer:
6 yds
Step-by-step explanation:
If we label the shorter side as x, the longer side can be represented as 2x + 2. Now, we can write an equation to model the situation. The area of a rectangle is the sides multiplied by each other:
84 = x(2x + 2)
84 = 2x^2 + 2x
Since all terms are divisible by two, we can divide both sides by it:
42 = x^2 + x
We can write the quadratic equation in standard form:
x^2 + x - 42 = 0
Now, we can factor. We are looking for numbers that multiply to -42 and add to 1. These numbers are 7 and -6. Factored the equation would be written as followed:
(x + 7)(x - 6) = 0
Using the zero-product property, we can obtain two equations and solve them:
x + 7 = 0
x = -7
x - 6 = 0
x = 6
Since the side of a rectangle can't be negative, the answer must be 6 yds.
