Byron is 3 years older than doug. the product of their ages is 40 . how old is doug?

Present age of Byron = b
Present age of Doug = d

Byron is 3 years older than Doug
b=d+3(1)
The product of their age is 40
bd=40(2)
Substitute the value of b from (1) to (2)
(d+3)d=40
d^2+3d=40
d^2+3d-40=0
Now solve for d

d^2+8d-5d-40=0
d(d+8)-5(d+8)=0
(d-5)(d+8)=0
d-5=0 or d+8=0
d=5 or d=-8
d=-8 (inadmissible)
So d=5
Put the value of d in (1)
b=d+3(1)
b=5+3
b=8

Present age of Byron = b = 8 years old
Present age of Doug = d = 5 years old

You can find the area of a rectangle by multiplying the length and height. so multiply 1/2*7/4(which is the simpler version of 1 3/4) and you get 7/8 as your answer.