Question

How do I solve this using the system of equations?

The perimeter is 58 meters and the length is 3 meters greater than the width. Find the length and width.​

Answer 1

length: 16 m; width: 13 m

Explanation:

Write each of the statements as an equation. You know that the formula for the perimeter is ...

P = 2(L +W)

so one of your equations is this one with the value of P filled in:

• 2L + 2W = 58

The other equation expresses the relation between L and W:

• L = W +3 . . . . . . . . the length is 3 meters greater than the width

There are many ways to solve such a system of equations. Since you have an expression for L, it is convenient to substitute that into the first equation to get ...

2(W+3) +2W = 58

4W +6 = 58 . . . . . . . simplify

4W = 52 . . . . . . . . . . subtract 6

W = 13 . . . . . . . . . . . .divide by 4

We can use the expression for L to find its value:

L = 13 +3 = 16

The length is 16 meters; the width is 13 meters.