Answer:
The true statement is <em>"The length of the long side must be at least 13 inches"</em><em>.</em>
Step-by-step explanation:
The short sides of a rectangle are 2 inches which will be its width.
The perimeter of the rectangle is known which is 30 inches.
The longest side (length) is said to be 3 less an unknown number, so assuming an unknown number x, it will be x - 3.
We can write an equation for perimeter:
<em>Perimeter = 2l + 2w</em>
<em>Perimeter <= 2(x-3) +2(2) </em>
30 <= 2x - 6 + 4
2x >= 32
x >= 16
Therefore the length x - 3 would be = 16 - 3 = 13 inches
So the first student is right.