Question

A rectangular flower garden has area 32 square feet. if the width of the garden is 4 feet less than the length, what is the perimeter, in feet, of the garden?

Answer 1

To determine the perimeter of the rectangular flower garden, we need to know the measurement of the sides of the rectangle so we have to know the length and the width. The given measurements are the area, and the relation of the width and the length. From these, we generate equations to calculate the width and the length. We do as follows:

Area = Length x Width

where length = x ft
           width = x - 4 ft
           area = 32 ft^2

32 = x (x -4)
32 = x^2 - 4x

Solving for the positive value of x, 

x = 8 ft = length
width = x -4 = 8 - 4 = 4 ft

Perimeter = 2(length) + 2(width) = 2(8) + 2(4) = 24 ft