Question

If the width of a rectangle is 3in less than the length, and the perimeter of the rectangle is 14in, find the length and width of the rectangle.

Answer 1

You can write equations for the length (l) and width (w) as
.. l -w = 3
.. 2(l +w) = 14

Divide the second equation by 2 and add the first equation.
.. (2(l +w))/2 +(l -w) = (14)/2 +3
.. 2l = 10
.. l = 5
Then
.. w = l -3 = 2

The length and width are 5 inches and 2 inches, respectively.