Question

Pamela has up to 60 inches of wood trim to make a picture frame. She wants the length of the frame to be 2 inches longer than the width. Describe the possible dimensions of the picture frame.

Answer 1

The perimeter is found using 2L + 2W.

The perimeter needs to equal 60 inches.

2L +2W = 60

She wants L to equal W+2

replace L with w+2 and solve:

2(W+2) +2W = 60

Use Distributive Property:

2W+4 +2W = 60

Combine like terms:

4w +4 = 60

Subtract 4 from each side:

4w = 56

Divide both sides by 4:

W = 56 / 4

W = 14

L = W+2 = 14 +2 = 16

The frame would be 16 inches long by 14 inches wide.