Expert: Steve Holleran - 10/14/2007

Question
Create a real-life situation that fits into the equation (x + 3)(x - 4) = 0 and express the situation as the same equation.

Answer
Hi Diane,

How about something like this:

The width of a garden is to be 1 meter less than its length.
If the garden is to cover 12 sq meters of area what are its dimensions?

You would have x for the length and x-1 for the width.

Since area = length * width

      12  = x * (x-1) ----> 12 = x^2 - x

      0 = x^2 -x - 12 ---> 0 = (x-4)(x+3)

Hope this is what you needed
Steve