Question

the length of a rectangle is equal to triple the width. Write a system of equations that can be used to find the dimensions of the rectangle if the perimeter is 88 centimeters. Find the length and the width.

Answer 1

First you set and equation for length which is three times width

l=3w

The substitute in the perimeter, p, into the equation for perimeter which is p=2l+2w

88=2l+2w

Then substitute in length, l, with the equation previously created: l=3w

88=2(3w)+2w

Multiply 2 and 3w

88=6w+2w

Combine like terms: 6w+2w

88=8w

Divide to get the value for w

w=11

Since you figure the value for w, 11, you can plug it into the equation for length which is l=3w

l=3(11)

When you do you get

l=33


So the length is 33 and the width is 11