Answer:
length is 17 in, width is 20
Step-by-step explanation:
let's shape this as an algebraic equation, where x= the length of one side.
since the width is 3 inches longer than the length, x will be the length and x+3 will be the width.
the perimeter is 74 in, and the perimeter is the added length of all sides. in a rectangle, 2 sides are the length and 2 sides are the width, so:
74 = 2x + 2(x + 3)
let's distribute the 2.
74 = 2x + 2x + 6
now, we combine the x's.
74 = 4x + 6
after this step, subtract 6 from the right to add it to the left side.
68 = 4x
finally, divide both sides by 4.
17 = x
perfect! now that we know the length, we just have to add 3 to find the width.
17 + 3 = 20
