Math problem that I do not know how to work

Question

The perimeter of a rectangle is 50 centimeters.The length of the rectangle is one more than 3 times the width of the rectangle. What are the dimensions of the rectangle?

Answer 1

Let's start with the basic fact: perimeter is the sum of all sides:

P=2W+2L    

The perimeter of our rectangle is 50:

P=50

The length of our rectangle is 3 times the width plus 1:

L=3W+1

 

Now rewrite the first equation, substituting the variables with the known facts:

P=2W+2L

50=2W+2(3W+1)

50=2W+6W+2

50=8W+2

48=8W

W=6

L=3(6)+1

L=19

 

The width is 6 cms and the length is 19 cms.  The perimeter is 2(6)+2(19)=50 cms.

Answer: the dimensions of the rectangle are 6 centimeters by 19 centimeters

Answer 2

Start the problem with a square. Follow the directions to turn it into the desired rectangular shape.