To work out the length, we just need to multiply 4 by 2, subtract this from 40 and then divide by 2 to get the length
4 x 2 = 8 40 - 8 = 32 32/2 = 16
If, however you want to find x
First step, we want to multiply out the brackets (x-3)² can also be written as (x-3)(x-3) Using FOIL, we can expand the double brackets
First Outer Inner Last
F = xx = x² O = x × -3 = -3x I = -3 × x = -3x L = -3 × -3 = 9
Now collect any like terms x² -6x + 9
x² - 6x + 9 = 16 -9 x² - 6x = 7
Make this equal to 0 and then re-factor x² - 6x - 7 = 0 Numbers that add to make -6 and multiply to make -7 1 and -7
Re-write with the two factors x² + x -7x - 7 Split into 2 and factor x² + x = x(x+1) -7x - 7 = -7(x+1) Use the coefficients of the brackets and what is inside to make the new set (x-7)(x+1)
x = -7 or 1
The second section is only needed if you wanted to find x