Solve for the length and width using the formula: area = length times width (lw). If the area is 32 and the length is twice as long as the width, begin by writing: l = 2w. This means that the length is equal to two times the width.
Fill in the formula. The formula is area = lw. Substitute the 1 = 2w for the l and add in the 32 by writing: 32 = 2w times w. 2w times w equals 2w^2; so the equation reads: 32 = 2w^2.
Divide the sides. Divide both sides by 2 to leave only the w^2 on the right side of the equation and 16 on the other side.
Find the square root. To solve for w, you must divide both sides by the square root. The square root of 16 is 4, so the answer reads: 4 = w. The width therefore is 4.
Solve for the length. If the width is 4 and the length is equal to twice as much as the width, then the length is 8.
Check your answer. Area is equal to length times width. In this example, double check your answer by multiplying 8 times 4. The answer is correct because it is 32.