The area of a tabletop is 48 square feet. the length is 3 times the width. if the dimensions are whole numbers, what is the width of the tabletop?

hello from mrbilldoesmath!

answer:

x - 3

discussion:

x^2 - 9 = (x-3) (x+3)   so

(x^2-9)/ (x + 3) = x-3

you,

mrb

start with a line segment pq that we will copy. mark a point r that will be one endpoint of the new line segment. set the compasses' point on the point p of the line segment to be copied. adjust the compasses' width to the point q. the compasses' width is now equal to the length of the line segment pq.

step-by-step explanation: