24 feet
Let length = x. because width is 5/8 the length, let width equal 5/8x.
Area equals length times width. Therefore, area equals:
\(\frac{5x}{8}\) times "x" = \(360ft^{2}\)
this equals \(\frac{5x^2}{8}\) = \(360ft^{2}\), because x times x is \(x^{2}\)
Then multiply both sides by 8 to get rid of the fraction.
\(5 x^{2}\) = \(2880ft^{2}\)
Divide both sides by 5 to get \(x^{2}\) by itself.
\(x^{2} = 576ft^{2}\)
Take the square of both sides to get x by itself.
\(\sqrt{x^2} = \sqrt{576ft^2}\)
x = 24ft
You can check your answer by plugging in 24ft into your original equation.
\(\frac{5(24ft)}{8}\) times (24ft) =\(360ft^{2}\)
\(\frac{120ft}{8}\) times 24 = \(360ft^{2}\)
15ft times 24ft = \(360ft^{2}\)
\(360ft^{2}\) = \(360ft^{2}\)
