Question

The perimeter of a parallelogram is 72 meters. The width of the parallelogram is 4 meters less than its length. Write an equation that could be used to find the length of the parallelogram. (Remember: the perimeter of a rectangle is the sum of the lengths of its sides or P=2L + 2W)

Answer 1

L= 16 m

W= 12 m

Explanation:

let us define the parameters of the parallelogram

let the length be L

and the width be W

given that the W= L-4

perimeter= 72 meters

We know that the perimeter of a parallelogram is given as

`P=2L + 2W`

Substituting W= L-4 for W we have

`72=2L + 2(L-4)\\\\72= 2L+2L-8 \\\\72= 4L-8\\\\4L= 72-8\\\\4L= 64`

Divide both sides by 4 we have

`L= 64/4\\\\L= 16 m`

From w= L-4 we can find w by setting L= 16

W= 16-4

W= 12 m