need help with solving the quadratic equation word problem!

Try this option:
1. the formula of the area is Area=Length*Width.
2. according to the condition the phrase 'the length is 1 ft. less then the double width' means: 2W-1=L.
3. if to substitute letters L and W into the formula of the area:
(2w-1)w=21; ⇒ 2w²-w-21=0; ⇒
[tex]\left \{ {{w=-3} \atop {w=7/2}} \right. \ \ for-the-length-only-positive-numbers; \ w=7/2[/tex]
4. finally: W=3.5 (ft); L=2W-1=6 (ft).