Rational Expressions

Question

^{If the perimeter of the rectangle is 7, what are the length and width?}

Answer 1

Hi, Ceejay. I am not entirely sure what you are looking for, but if you are looking for the length and width in terms of each other, I can help.

 

The perimeter of a rectangle is twice the length plus twice the width. That is, 2l + 2w = p

 

If, p is 7,

2l + 2w = 7.

 

To get the length, we move the width to the other side and divide by 2.

2l + 2w = 7

2l + 2w - 2w = 7 - 2w

2l = 7 - 2w

l = (7 - 2w)/2

 

We use the same process to get w:

2l + 2w = 7
2l - 2l + 2w = 7 - 2l
2w = 7 - 2l
w = (7 - 2l)/2

 

I hope this helps.