SOLUTION: I am trying to figure out a problem that my teacher gave my class. A rectangle has a perimeter of 4 inches. If the sides of the rectangle are whole numbers of inches, how many

Question 72970: I am trying to figure out a problem that my teacher gave my class.
A rectangle has a perimeter of 4 inches. If the sides of the rectangle are whole numbers of inches, how many different combinations of measures are possible?
So far I have figure 1 solution, 1+1+1+1 Still, I think this is a square not a rectangle. Any insight would be helpful.
Answer by bucky(2189) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Since the perimeter is 4 inches and the sides have to be whole numbers, if one of the sides
were 2, then another side would also have to be 2 and there wouldn't be any more length left
for the other two sides.
.
You have hit upon the only solution that matches the criteria that you were given ... whole
numbers for sides and not more than 4 units in length.
.
But you didn't recognize the point that the teacher was trying to make. The teacher was
trying to show you that your answer was really a rectangle, but it was a special case of a
rectangle ... a square is a rectangle that happens to have 4 equal sides.
.
Another way to look at it is to remember "All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles
are squares." Some rectangles have lengths that are greater than their widths.
.
Sort of similar to saying "All spaniels are dogs, but not all dogs are spaniels."
.
You did a really good job of coming up with the only set of numbers that would work. Shows
you were thinking about it in the right way. Some day you may get to be really good at
math if you continue to work at it with the same thought you showed toward this problem.

RELATED QUESTIONS
I am trying to find a solution to a problem for my 7th grader that has me confused. I (answered by ikleyn,addingup,TeachMath)

I am having a difficult time trying to figure out this equation: A rectangle has a width (answered by ewatrrr)

I am trying to figure out a problem for my... (answered by )

this is a problem that my teacher gave me and no matter how I look at it it doesn't make... (answered by scott8148)

Sam had 9 sweaters. If he wore one a day for a week, how many permutations are possible? (answered by edjones)

I am trying to work a problem that my teacher gave me on a worksheet. We have worked... (answered by Earlsdon)

If you know the area in square feet of a rectangle but don't know what the perimeter is... (answered by arunpaul)

I am trying to figure out the following problem to say what is 'b': 1/a + 2/b = 3/c... (answered by askmemath)

I am taking and online algebra class in college and my professor gave us a project and... (answered by Edwin McCravy)