Question

A sheet of paper has a perimeter of 39 inches. If the width of the paper is 8.5

inches, what is the length of the sheet of paper?

Answer 1

The answer is 11

Explanation:

So perimeter is base+ base+length+length. Therefore you take 8.5+8.5 which is 17 and subtract it from 39 to get 22. You take 22 and divide it by 2 which leaves you with 11.

Answer 2

length of the sheet of paper is 11 in.

Explanation:

Let "a" = short end of paper and let "b" = long end of paper.

Let "p" = perimeter

1st equation: p = 39"

2nd equation: 2a + 2b = p plug in "39" for diameter; result:

2nd equation: 2a + 2b = 39

3rd equation: b = 2a - 6

replace "b" in 2nd equation with "2a - 6" from 3rd equation, result:

2a + 2(2a - 6) = 39 simplified to:

2a + 4a - 12 = 39 simplified to:

6a - 12 = 39 simplified to:

6a = 51 simplified to:

a = 51/6 = 8.5

so, a = short end of paper = 8.5 inches

In 3rd equation (b = 2a - 6), substitute "a" with "8.5"

3rd equation becomes: b = 2(8.5) - 6 simplified to:

b = 17 - 6 = 11

so, b = long end of paper = 11 inches

answer to question is: dimensions of paper are ---

8.5 inches wide by 11 inches long