A rectangle is 3 times as long as it is wide. If the perimeter is 24 meters, write a system of equations and find the length and width of the rectangle

Question

im confused about how to do this problem

Answer 1

Hi Brooke--

 

To do this with a system of equations, think of your width as w, and your length as l.

 

So your system is

 

l + l + w + w = 24 (or 2l + 2w = 24)

and l = 3w

 

So really, you have w + w, + 3w + 3w = 24

 

All your w's together make 8w, which equals 24, which means

 

w = 3, and l (which is 3w) is 9

 

Check: 9 + 9 + 3 + 3 = 24. Check!

 

Hope this helps.

 

Matt in NY