The length of a rectangle is 4 less than twice the width. The area of the rectangle is 70 square feet. Find the width, w, of the rectangle algebraically. Explain why one of the solutions for w is not viable.

Area = Length * Width

Length = 2w - 4

Width = w

70 = (2w - 4) w

70 = 2w² - 4w

2w² - 4w - 70 = 0

2 (w² - 2w - 35) = 0

2 (w + 5) (w - 7) = 0

w + 5 = 0; w - 7 = 0

w = - 5; w = 7

w = - 5 is not viable because no length of measurement is negative.