Answer:
L = 97, w = 27
Step-by-step explanation:
The perimeter formula is P = 2L + 2w. We have too many unknowns simply to plug in, so we have to find a way to identify one in terms of the other. The statement is that the length is 16 feet more than 3 times the width, so the length is in terms of the width and can be identified as
L = 3w + 16
and the width, then, is just w. Now we can fill in those 2 values, both in terms of w, and set it to equal the perimeter value we were given of 248:
2(3w + 16) + 2w = 248 and
6w + 32 + 2w = 248 and
8w + 32 = 248 and
8w = 216 so
w = 27
That means that the width is 27. Use that value of w now to find the length where
L = 3w + 16.
L = 3(27) + 16 and
L = 97
