Final answer:
To determine the rectangle's dimensions with a perimeter of 86 cm and a length three times its width, we use a system of equations. The width is calculated to be 10.75 cm and from there, we calculate the length to be 32.25 cm.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the dimensions of a rectangle where the length is triple the width and the perimeter is 86 centimeters, we can set up a system of equations. Let's denote the width as w and the length as l. Since the length is equal to triple the width, we have l = 3w. The formula for perimeter P of a rectangle is given by P = 2l + 2w. Substituting the perimeter given and the relationship between length and width, we can write the equations as:
By substituting the first equation into the second, we get:
- 2(3w) + 2w = 86
- 6w + 2w = 86
- 8w = 86
- w = 86 / 8
- w = 10.75 cm
Then, using the first equation, we find the length:
Thus, the width is 10.75 centimeters, and the length is 32.25 centimeters.