document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=542538>Question 542538</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> the length of a rectangle is 7 feet less than twice its width and its perimeter is 160 feet<BR>\n" );
document.write( "what is the area in square footage<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #354633 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=lmeeks54><B>lmeeks54(111)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-09.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=lmeeks54><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=lmeeks54><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=354633\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let L = the length of the long sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let W = the length of the short sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let A = the area of the rectangle<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let P = the perimeter of the rectangle<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = L * W<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 2L + 2W<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Given:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "L = 2W - 7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 160<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Substitution allows us to consider our system of 2 equations with two unknowns into 1 equation with one unknown.  We already have L given in terms of W, so substitute that into the equation for P:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 160<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 2L + 2W<BR>\n" );
document.write( "160 = 2(2W - 7) + 2W<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Combine like terms and simplify:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "160 = 4W - 14 + 2W<BR>\n" );
document.write( "160 + 14 = 4W + 2W<BR>\n" );
document.write( "174 = 6W<BR>\n" );
document.write( "174/6 = W<BR>\n" );
document.write( "W = 29<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "go back to the equation for L:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "L = 2W - 7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "L = 2(29) - 7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "L = 51<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the dimensions of the rectangle are:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "L = 51 ft<BR>\n" );
document.write( "W = 29 ft<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The problem asks for the area of the rectangle:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = 51 ft * 29 ft<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = 1,479 ft^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Check your work:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 2L + 2W <BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 160<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 2(51) + 2(29)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 102 + 58<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 160 checks <BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Lee </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );