Final answer:
To find the width of John's garden, we can set up a system of equations based on the given information. The equations would be (x+3) * x = 40 for the area and 2 * ((x+3) + x) = 26 for the perimeter.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find x, the width of John's garden, we can set up a system of equations based on the given information.
Let's say the width of the garden is x feet.
According to the problem, the length of the garden is 3 feet more than the width, so the length would be (x+3) feet.
The area of a rectangle is given by the formula A = length * width. So, we have the equation (x+3) * x = 40.
The perimeter of a rectangle is given by the formula P = 2 * (length + width). So, we have the equation 2 * ((x+3) + x) = 26.
Solving these equations will give us the value of x, the width of John's garden.