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Please help with this algebra question

Please help with this algebra question-example-1
User Ken Downs
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1 Answer

2 votes
Perimeter: P=24 ft
Lenght: L
Width: W

The length is 2 ft longer than the width:
(1) L= W+2 ft

Perimeter: P=2(W+L)
P=24 ft
2(W+L)=24 ft
Dividing both sides of the equation by 2:
2(W+L)/2 =(24 ft)/2
(2) W+L=12 ft

We have a system of 2 equations and 2 unkowns:
(1) L=W+2
(2) W+L=12

Using the method of substitution: Replacing L by W+2 in the second equation:
(2) W+L=12
W+(W+2)=12
W+W+2=12
2W+2=12

Solving foe W
2W+2-2=12-2
2W=10
Dividing both sides of the equation by 2:
2W/2=10/2
W=5

Replacing W by 5 in the first equation:
(1) L=W+2
L=5+2
L=7

Answers:
What is the width? 5 ft
What is the length? 7 ft
User Daniel Stutzbach
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5.8k points