Algebra Word Problem

Question

The perimeter of Alexa's rectangular camel ranch is 164km.  What are the dimensions of the ranch if it's width is 2km more than 3/13 it's length

Answer 1

The formula for perimeter (P) of a rectangle is:

P = 2L * 2W where L is length and W is width.

 

From the statement "width is 2km more than 3/13 it's length" you can determine the formula for width:

W = 2 + (3/13)L

 

From there you can plug in W to your perimeter formula and solve for L

 

164 = 2L + 2( 2 + (3/13)L )

   = 2L + 4 + (6/13)L

   = (26/13)L + 4 + (6/13)L

   = 4 + (32/13)L

   (32/13)L = 160

   L = 65

 

Now that you have length, just plug it into the width formula:

W = 2 + (3/13)L

    = 2 + (3/13) * (65)

    = 2 + 15

W = 17