SOLUTION: Write an equation to solve the problem. Do not forget to identify each variable. include a brief but detailed explanation of your thought process through the problem. also include

Question 498482: Write an equation to solve the problem. Do not forget to identify each variable. include a brief but detailed explanation of your thought process through the problem. also include a picture the correctly labels the length and width.
the length of the rectangle is five inches greater than the width. the sun of the length and width is 41 inches. find the length and width of the rectangle. what geometric term would describe the distance around the rectangle?
-my school just started last week, i'm a sophomore and my geometry teacher gives us a "Geometry Challenge Problem" each week worth TEN POINTS! i can write the explanation and the picture and solve the problem and all that. i just don't know where to start. i haven't done perimeter since like 5Th grade. please help me get started. thank you
Answer by cleomenius(959) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First we need a variable for the width. The variable for the length can be the same variable plus 5
width = W
length = W + 5 inches.
The sum equals 41.
width + length = 41.
The sum expressed as our variables is:
W + W + 5 = 41.
We have 2W.
Subtract 5 from each side.
2W = 36
W = 18 inches.
L = 18 + 5 = 23 inches.
18 inches + 23 inches = 41 inches.
This does check.
The perimeter is 2 times the length plus 2 times the width; which is the entire area around the triangle.
A diagram will look something like this:
@@@@@@@@@@@@@------------------length = 23-----------------
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@Width = 18@@@|*****************************************- width = 18
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|------------------length = 23-----------------
Cleomenius
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