A rectangle has an area of 48 cm^2 and a length of 16 cm. What is the width of the rectangle?

To solve this geometry problem we begin by identifying the elements in the above question and their relationships:

Area = 48 cm^2

Length = 16 cm

Area (a)= length (l) * width (w)

To find the width we must isolate width (w) on one side of the equation. We can do this using the division property of equalities and divide both sides by l, allowing us to cancel l on the right side of the equation:

a = l * w

l        l

a ÷ l = w --> w = a ÷ l

Now that we have isolated w we can substitute values for both a & l, theb simplify:

w = 48 cm^2 ÷ 16 cm

w = 3 cm (the cm in the denominator cancel one of the two cm in the numerator)

Area = length times width

so A = lw

A/l = w

48/16 = w

3 = w

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But if you have problems with simple questions like this,

it indicates that you need a tutor and none of the above are as close as I am, 15 miles away.

So if you are still in the class and need help, signal me.

/Frederick S.

First note that to find the area of a rectangle, multiply the length of the rectangle by the width of the rectangle. Thus, the are of a rectangle can be determined by using the following formula:

     A = l · w ,  where A is the area, l is the length, and w is the width.

You are given that the area (A) is 48 sq cm, or 48 cm². You are also give that the length (l) is 16 cm. Since you are trying to solve for the width (w), you first want to set the equation above equal to w.

So,     A = l · w               

                         divide both sides of the equation by l

         (A) / l = (l · w) / l

         A / l = w

Plug in 48 cm² for the area (A) and 16 cm for the length (l):

      w = A / l     ==>     w = 48 cm² / 16 cm     ==>     w = 3 cm

Therefore, the width of the rectangle is 3 cm.