The length of a rectangle is 5 inches less than three times its width. The perimeter is 86 inches. Find the length and width. Write an equation and solve.
Please help me with the equation! I have no idea what to do!
The equation for the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2(l+w) P is perimeter, l = length, and w = width. Since the length is 5 less than the width, we could also say that l = w-5. Now, plug it into the equation. 86 = 2(w-5+w) 86 = 2(2w-5) 86 = 4w-10 86+10 = 4w-10+10 96 = 4w 96/4 = 4w/4 24 = w Since the length is 5 less than the width, or 24, plug it in. l = w-5 l = 24-5 l = 19
