A rectangular garden is fenced on all sides with 256 feet of fencing. The garden is 8 feet longer than it is wide. Find the length and width of the garden.

Answer 1

the width is w...

the length is L = w + 8

the perimeter is 256

256 = w + w + L + L

= 2w + 2L

= 2w + 2(w+8)

= 2w + 2w+16

= 4w + 16

240 = 4w

w = 60

the width is 60

the length is 68

the perimeter is 120+136 = 256

Yes, it checks out

the width is 60

the length is 68

Answer 2

Start by using the information the problem gave you about the dimensions of the rectangular garden. "The garden is 8 feet longer than its width". That means the rectangle has a Width=x and the length would have to be 8 feet longer than that so, Length=x+8.

Now use what you know about the ENTIRE length of the fencing if you stretch it out. That would have to mean that if you add up all the sides of the rectangle: x+(x+8)+x+(x+8)=256ft. So you just need to solve x by combining all the like terms. So the above equation simplifies to 4x+16=256. Then subract 16 on both sides to get 4x=240 then divide both sides by 4 to get x=60.

Therefore, Width=60ft and Length=68ft.