A backyard has a perimeter of 158 yards. The length measures 6 yards longer than the width. Which simplified equation would be used to solve for the width? Let x x=width

Answer 1

Hello, Arsh,

Let x = width and L = length,

The perimeter is P = 2x + 2L and is equal to 158 yards, so we have 2x + 2L = 158

We know that "The length measures 6 yards longer than the width"

We can write that as L = x + 6

Substitute this into the first equation: 2x + 2*(x+6) = 158

2x+2x+12 = 158

4x = 146

x = 36.5 yards

Then L = 42.5 yards

2*36.5 + 2*42.5 = 158 yards

Answer 2

The length of the perimeter of a rectangle is the sum of the lengths of the four sides, i.e. x+y+x+y, where x is the width and y is the height.

In this case, y=x+6.

If you substitute x+6 for y, you get

x + (x+6) + x + (x+6) = p

where p is the length of the perimeter. Substitute the actual perimeter value for p, and solve for x.