Question

The width of a rectangle is 2 cm less than its length. the perimeter is 52 cm. the length is:

Answer 1

If the width is 2 cm less than its length, the expression is this: w = L - 2.  The length then is just L.  The perimeter formula is 2L + 2w = P.  Filling in accordingly, we have 2L + 2(L-2)=52 and 2L + 2L - 4 = 52.  4L = 56 and L=14.  The width then is 12.  There you go!