Question

Michael is building a fence around his garden to keep the rabbits out. The perimeter of his garden is 42 feet. If the length of the garden is 5 more than the width, what are the dimensions of the fence? Hint: draw a rectangle, and label all 4 sides for the length and width, given what you know.

*Show your work on paper!

a.) Write an equation to represent the situation.

b.) Solve your equation WITH units - you need to find the length AND the width.

Answer 1

a)

perimeter = 42 feet

let the width = y

let the length = 5+y

( the length is 5+y because it is 5 more than the width )

2(5+y)+2y=42

b)

2(5+y)+2y=42

10+2y+2y=42

4y=32

y=8

width = y

= 8

length = 5+y

= 5+8

= 13