Question

What is the value of x if a rectangle has a perimeter of 50, a length of x + 5, and width of 11?

Answer 1

The perimeter of a polygon is the sum of the lengths of all its sides. A rectangle has 4 sides, and opposite sides are congruent, so 2 sides have length x + 5, and 2 sides have length 11. Add all the lengths and set the sum equal to 50. Then solve the equation for x.

x + 5 + x + 5 + 11 + 11 = 50

2x + 32 = 50

2x = 18

x = 9

Answer: x = 9