document.write( "Question 572871: A rectangle with a perimeter 38 cm is 3 cm longer than it is wide. Determine the dimensions of the rectangle. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #368612 by mathsmiles(68) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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P of a rectangle is the L + L + W + W or 2L + 2W\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Here we know that P is 38.
\n" ); document.write( "We also know that L is 3cm+W
\n" ); document.write( "L = 3+W\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So substituting in the formula for perimeter:
\n" ); document.write( "2L + 2W = P = 38
\n" ); document.write( "2(3+W) + 2W = 38 Now multiply out the paren
\n" ); document.write( "6 + 2W + 2W = 38 Combine W terms
\n" ); document.write( "6 + 4W = 38
\n" ); document.write( "Subtracting 6 from both sides of the equation:
\n" ); document.write( "4W = 32
\n" ); document.write( "Dividing both sides by 4:
\n" ); document.write( "W = 8cm\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "But we know the length is W + 3cm
\n" ); document.write( "L = 8 + 3 = 11cm\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Checking:
\n" ); document.write( "2(8) + 2(11) = 38
\n" ); document.write( "16 + 22 = 38
\n" ); document.write( "38 = 38 Correct! \n" ); document.write( "

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