Question

A new Outdoor Recreation Center is being built in Hadleyville. The perimeter of the rectangular playing field is 318 yards. The length of the field is 5 yards less than

triple the width. What are the dimensions of the playing field?
yards.

Answer 1

41 yards by 118 yards

Explanation:

Let W and L be the Width and Length of the playing field:

The perimeter, P, would be P = 2W + 2L

We are told that P = 318 yards.

We learn that L = 3W - 5

Combining this information, we can say:

P = 2W + 2L [Oriinal equation]

318 = 2W + 2L [P is 318]

318 = 2W + 2(3W-5) [ Use the definition of L = 3W - 5]

318 = 2W + 6W - 10

328 = 8W

W = 41 yards

Use this value of W to find L:

L = 3W - 5

L = 3(41) - 5

L = 123 - 5

L = 118

CHECK

Does 2*(118) + 2*(41) = 318? YES

Is the length 5 yards less than triple the width?

3*(41) - 5 = 118 YES