Exercise 7 Page 419

We know that the area of a rectangular dance floor is (4x-8) square units. We want to find possible dimensions of the dance floor. To do so, we can factor the expression for the area using the Distributive Property in reverse. First, let's find the greatest common factor (GCF) between the terms. 4x&= 2 * 2 * x 8&= 2 * 2 * 2In this case, the GCF is the product common prime factors. 2 * 2 = 4 Let's factor out the GCF for our expression.

4x-8

Rewrite

Rewrite 4x as 4 * x

4 * x-8

Rewrite

Rewrite 8 as 4 * 2

4 * x-4 * 2

FactorOut

Factor out 4

4(x-2)

The factored expression for the area of the dance floor is 4(x-2) square units. Since the dance floor is a rectangle, it can be 4 units by (x-2) units.