The area of a rectangular room is 238 square feet. the width is 3 feet less than the length. find the dimensions of the room

L= length
w= width= L-3
A= area= 238 ft^2

LENGTH
Area Formula

A= LW
substitute w value

238= (L)(L- 3)
multiply L by parentheses

238= L^2 - 3L
subtract 238 from both sides

0= L^2 - 3L - 238
factor

0= (L + 14)(L - 17)
set each parentheses equal to 0

0= L + 14
-14= L

OR

0= L - 17
17 ft= L

*Since the measure of a rectangle would not be negative, L= 17 ft

WIDTH
w= L - 3
w= 17 - 3
w= 14 ft

ANSWER: Length= 17 ft; Width= 14 ft

Hope this helps! :)