Final answer:
The perimeter of a rectangle with an area of 79 square meters can be expressed as a function of the length using the formula P(l) = 2l + 158/l, with l representing the length in meters.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the length of one side of the rectangle be l meters, and the width be w meters. The area (A) of a rectangle is given by the product of its length and width, so we have A = l × w. Given that the area is 79 square meters, we can express the width in terms of the length as follows: w = ⅔. Now, the perimeter (P) of a rectangle is given by P = 2l + 2w. Substituting w in terms of l, we get P(l) = 2l + 2(⅔). Simplifying this expression gives us the perimeter as a function of the length of one of the sides of the rectangle.
P(l) = 2l + 158/l
It is important to use appropriate units; in this case, since l is measured in meters, the perimeter will also be a length measured in meters. It would be incorrect to use a squared term to describe a perimeter.