Question

The perimeter of a rectangle is 38 inches. If the length of the rectangle is 14 inches, which equation could be used to find the width, x?

Answer 1

Perimeter, P = 2*(L + W)

Length, L = 14, Width = x

 P = 2*(L + W)

38 = 2*(14 + x).

2*(14 + x) = 38,  is the equation used to find x.

Let's go ahead and solve for x, though the question did not ask us to solve it. 

 14 + x = 38/2

  14 + x = 19

       x = 19 - 14

        x = 5

Width is 5 inches.