What are the dimensions of the garden?

Question

The width of a rectangular garden is 8 feet less than its length. If the garden is fenced in with 72 ft, what are the dimensions of the garden?

Answer 1

Measuring out fencing means that you are dealing with the perimeter of the garden, right?

We know that the perimeter formula for perimeter is P = 2L + 2W We don't know L or W yet, but we do know that W= L-8, as that was given.

Now let's plug in what we know.

P = 2L + 2w

72= 2L + 2(L-8) Plugging in known values and expressions

72 = 2L + 2L - 16 Distributive prop

72 = 4L - 16 Combine like terms

88 = 4L Add 16 to both sides

22 = L Divide by 4

If L = 22, and W = L-8, then W = 14

Check your work by substituting into t he perimeter formula:

2 (22) + 2(14)

44 + 28

72 (Checks)

Best wishes!