Using Dimension in the real world!

Question

The perimeter of a garden is 88 feet. The length is 12 feet greater than the width. What is the dimension?

Answer 1

Let X represent the Length and Y represent the Width.

Since the Length is 12 feet greater than the Width, then

X = Y + 12 [Equation 1]

The perimeter of a rectangle is equal to the sum of the side lengths. The perimeter has two sides equal to the Length and two sides equal to the Width.

Perimeter = X + X + Y + Y = 2X + 2Y

The perimeter is 88 feet, so

2X + 2Y = 88 [Equation 2]

Since X = Y + 12 in Equation 1, we can substitute this quantity for X in Equation 2.

2(Y+12) + 2Y = 88

2Y + 24 + 2Y = 88

4Y + 24 = 88

4Y = 64

Y = 16

Now plug this value for Y into Equation 1 to find X

X = 16 + 12 = 28

The dimensions are Length = 28 and Width = 16

Answer 2

Let x be the width of the garden.

Width = x

Length = x+12

Let's Calculate the Perimieter = 2(length + width)

= 2(x+x+12)

= 4x+24

Given Perimeter = 88 feet

4x+24 = 88

4x=64

x=16

Therefore, width=16 feet; length= width+12 = 28 feet.

Let's verify our answer: Perimeter = 2(16+28) = 88 feet (matches the number given in the problem)