Question

The length of a rectangular garden is three feet less than twice it’s width. If the perimeter of the garden is 42 feet, what is the length?

Answer 1

The length is equal to 13.

The width is equal to 8.

l = 2w - 3

2l + 2w = 42

Because we have a value for l, we can plug it into the second equation to solve for w.

2(2w - 3) + 2w = 42

Distributive property.

4w - 6 + 2w = 42

Combine like terms.

6w - 6 = 42

Add 6 to both sides.

6w = 48

Divide both sides by 6.

w = 8

Now that we have a value for w, we can solve for the exact value of l.

l = 2(8) - 3

l = 16 - 3

l = 13