Question

Tamara is creating a model of a rectangle. She has 26 inches of yellow ribbon to use for the border of the rectangle. She wants the length, l, to be 3 inches greater than the width, w. Which system of equations could Tamara use to find the dimensions of a rectangle that uses all of the ribbon?

Answer 1

Let

L-------> the length of the rectangle

W------> the width of the rectangle

we know that

the perimeter of the rectangle is equal to

`P=2L+2W`

`P=26\ in` -----> because Tamara's using the whole ribbon

so

`26=2L+2W` -------> equation A

`L=W+3` -------> equation B

Substitute equation B in equation A

`26=2(W+3)+2W`

`26=2W+6+2W`

`4W=26-6`

`W=5\ in`

find the value of L

`L=W+3=5+3=8\ in`

therefore

the answer is

The system of equations is

`26=2L+2W`

`L=W+3`