- The length of a rectangle is 3 inches less than twice the width. (Remember: rectangles have 2 sets of equal sides) Find the length and the width if the perimeter of the rectangle is 24 inches.

Answer 1

Hello, Mackenzie,

Let L = length and W = width.

We know L = 2W - 3 from the problem.

Perimeter (P) = 2W + 2L

Substitute the L in the perimeter equation with the equality L = 2W - 3:

P = 2W + 2(2W - 3)

P = 2W +4W -6

P is 24 inches, so

24 = 6W -6

6W = 30, and therefore

W = 5

The width is 5inches. The Length is L = 2W - 3, so L = 2*5 - 3, or 7 inches

Check: 2 x 5 = 10 inches

2 x 7 = 14

Perimeter = 24 inches.

Bob

Answer 2

Draw and label a diagram!

w represents the width

2w - 3 represents the length

2(w + 2w - 3) = 24

Can you solve for w and answer?