How do you break down a wordy question (e.g. Aled has three concrete slabs. Two slabs square, of length x, & the third rectangular of dimensions 1m & x+1m. Show 2x^2 +x-6=0 & Solve this)

Start off by taking a breather. Let's break this down into the components of the problem, in this case the three slabs (a,b,c)A_a=lh=xx=x²A_b=A_a=x²A_c=lh=1(1+x)=1+xSince total area=7, 7=x²+x²+x+10=2x²+x-6let's write out the brackets (_x+a)(_x+b)=2x²+x-6So, the factors of 2 (the first two things we multiply out) are 1 &2, so it becomes(2x+b)(1x+a)=0The factors of 6 are 3 & 2 and one of them's -ve since the 6 is negative. Since the value of the x-coefficient is 1, the difference between 2a+1b=+1The only way we can do this is if the factors are b=-3 and a=+2so 2x-3=0 or x+2=0. Since length is positive, x=1.5