SOLUTION: 4) Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the perimeter of the rectangle is 80. a) Set up an equation for the perimeter involving only

Question 149934: 4) Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the perimeter of the rectangle is 80.
a) Set up an equation for the perimeter involving only L, the length of the rectangle.
Answer:
b) Solve this equation algebraically to find the length of the rectangle. Find the width as well.
Answer: Length ______, Width ______
I don't understand how to do this.
Answer by nerdybill(7384) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let L = length of rectangle
L-2 = width of rectangle
.
Since the perimeter is twice the "length + width" we have:
2(L + L - 2) = 80 (solution for a)
.
solving for L:
2(L + L - 2) = 80
(2L - 2) = 40
2(L - 1) = 40
L - 1 = 20
L = 21 inches (solution for b -- length of rectangle)
L-2 = 19 inches (solution for b -- width of rectangle)

RELATED QUESTIONS
Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the... (answered by jojo14344)

suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the... (answered by vleith)

suppose that the width of a rectangle is 5 inches shorter than the length and that the... (answered by checkley75)

Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the... (answered by jonvaliente)

Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the... (answered by nerdybill)

2) Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 5 inches shorter than the length and that the (answered by unlockmath)

suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the... (answered by solver91311)

Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 5 inches shorter than the length and that the... (answered by checkley77)

Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 5 inches shorter than the length and that the... (answered by nerdybill)