SOLUTION: The perimeter of a rectangle is 48 inches. Find its length if its width is 5 inches.

Question 595625: The perimeter of a rectangle is 48 inches. Find its length if its width is 5 inches.
Answer by math-vortex(648) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The perimeter of a rectangle is 48 inches. Find its length if its width is 5 inches.
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Hi, there--
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Let's define some variables so we can write a formula for the perimeter.
Let's have L be the length and W be the width.
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The perimeter is the distance around the rectangle, 48 inches. Remember that a rectangle has two equal lengths and two equal widths. We can call those 2L and 2W. Altogether, they add to 48 inches.
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Then, the formula for the perimeter of your rectangle is

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We know that the length of the rectangle is 5 inches. Substitute 5 for L in the formula.

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Now we simplify and solve for W.

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Subtract 10 from both sides.

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Divide both sides by 2.

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According to our algebra, the width is 19 inches. We need to go back and check our work to make sure we did not make a mistake. Do our two widths and two lengths add up to 48 inches?

Bingo!!!
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That's it. Feel free to email if any part of the explanation does not make sense.
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Ms.Figgy
math.in.the.vortex@gmail.com

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