SOLUTION: the length of a rectangle is twice the width. the perimeter is 48 in. find the dimensions of the rectangle.

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Question 155515: the length of a rectangle is twice the width. the perimeter is 48 in. find the dimensions of the rectangle.
Found 2 solutions by oscargut, Adam:
Answer by oscargut(891) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x=length
y=width
the length of a rectangle is twice the width
then x=2y
the perimeter is 48 in.
then 2(x+y)=48 then x+y=24
x=2y
x%2By=24
2y%2By=24 then 3y=24 then y=8
x=24-8=16
Answer: length is 16 in and width is 8 in

Answer by Adam(64) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We have two sides a and b (length,width) but because b is just twice the a, we can express length of both sides using only one variable: a, 2a
after plugging in all the variables you should be left with quadratic equation in one variable.
Cheers,
Adam
p.s. If you don't know which equation should you plug into, think about one which contains both sides of rectangle and it's perimeter...