Question

A rectangular garden has a width that is 8 feet less than twice the length. Find the dimensions if the perimeter is 20 feet.

Answer 1

Answer:

length = 6 feet

width = 4 feet

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the dimensions of the rectangle, you can set up a variable and an expression that will equal the perimeter of the figure.  Given l = length, width is '8 feet less than twice the length' or w = 2l - 8.

The general formula for perimeter of a rectangle is:

2w + 2l = P, where w = width and l = length

Using the variable and expression from above and the perimeter of 20 feet:

2(2l - 8)+ 2l = 20

distribute: 4l - 16 + 2l = 20

combine like terms: 6l - 16 = 20

add 16 to both sides: 6l - 16 + 16 = 20 + 16 or 6l = 36

divide and solve for 'l':  6l/6 = 36/6, or l = 6 feet

solve for 'w':  w = 2(6) - 8 or w = 12 - 8 = 4 feet