Final answer:
The dimensions of the rectangle are either 8 meters by 5 meters or 5 meters by 8 meters, based on the given perimeter and area.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the dimensions of a rectangle given the perimeter and the area, we need to set up a system of equations based on the formulas for perimeter and area of a rectangle. The perimeter (P) of a rectangle is given by the formula P = 2l + 2w, where l is the length and w is the width. The area (A) is given by the formula A = l × w.
In this question, the perimeter is 26 meters and the area is 40 square meters, so we have the following equations:
- 2l + 2w = 26 (perimeter equation)
- lw = 40 (area equation)
First, we can simplify the perimeter equation by dividing everything by 2, getting l + w = 13.
Next, we can express w in terms of l by rearranging the simplified perimeter equation: w = 13 - l.
Now, substitute w = 13 - l into the area equation lw = 40:
- l(13 - l) = 40
- 13l - l^2 = 40
- l^2 - 13l + 40 = 0
This is a quadratic equation which can be factored to (l - 8)(l - 5) = 0, giving us two possible lengths: l = 8 meters or l = 5 meters. If l = 8 meters, then w = 5 meters, and if l = 5 meters, then w = 8 meters.
Therefore, the dimensions of the rectangle can be 8 meters by 5 meters or 5 meters by 8 meters.