The perimeter of a rectangle is 68 feet. The length exceeds 3 times the width by 2 feet. What is the length of the rectangle?

Question

These shape word problems confuse me. My Escher told me to draw it out but I am still having trouble with such problems. Please help with instructions so I can try to learn it. Thank you

Answer 1

The perimeter of a rectangle is the sum of twice the length and twice the width.  "Exceed" means that the value goes over the limit.  So you will have more.

 

 

Let width = x

Let length = 3x + 2

Perimeter = 68

 

 

Set an equation using the variables and the formula for perimeter.

 

2x + 2(3x + 2) = 68

 

 

Solve for x.

 

2x + 6x + 4 = 68

 

8x + 4 = 68

 

8x = 64

 

  x = 8

 

 

Substitute the value of x into the dimension.

 

width = 8 feet

 

length = 3(8) + 2 = 24 + 2 = 26 feet