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The perimeter of a rectangle is 53 meters. The length is 2.3 meters longer than the width, w. Write and solve an equation to find the width of the rectangle.

Show your work.

User Omarjmh
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2 Answers

4 votes

Answer:

The width is 12.1 meters.

Explanation:

So, we know that the perimeter is 53 meters, and that the length is 2.3 meters longer than the width (length = width + 2.3 meters). The equation for the perimeter of a rectangle is

P = 2(l + w)

where P is the perimeter, l is the length, and w is the width. Lets plug in 53 for P (because the perimeter is 53 meters) and w + 2.3 for l (because the length is 2.3 meters longer than the width) into the equation.

53 = 2(w + 2.3 + w)

This would be the equation to find the width.

Now solve for the width:

53 = 2(w + 2.3 + w)

Distribute the 2

53 = 2w + 4.6 + 2w

Simplify

53 = 4w + 4.6

Subtract 4.6 from both sides.

48.4 = 4w

Divide 4 from both sides.

12.1 = w

w = 12.1

(Remember, the width should be in meters because the length and the perimeter is in meters.)

The width is 12.1 meters.

I hope you find this helpful. :)

User Digvijay
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3 votes

L = 2.3 + W

2W + 2L = P

2W + 2(2.3 + W) = 53

2W + 4.6 + 2W = 53

4W + 4.6 = 53

4W = 48.4

4W/4 = 48.4/4

W = 12.1

User Emaborsa
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6.7k points