document.write( "Question 590348: Hello,\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "How do you set up an equation in algebra to show that the width of a rectangle is 3 ft shorter than the length and that the perimeter of the rectangle is 86 feet?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "86=3w -6\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I am soooo confused! Please help!\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "bmccain@wowway.com
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #375114 by Theo(13342)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
L = length of rectangle
\n" ); document.write( "W = width of rectangle
\n" ); document.write( "W = L - 3
\n" ); document.write( "P = perimeter = 86 feet.
\n" ); document.write( "formula for perimeter:
\n" ); document.write( "2L + 2W = 86
\n" ); document.write( "substitute L-3 for W to get:
\n" ); document.write( "2L + 2(L-3) = 86
\n" ); document.write( "simplify by removing parentheses to get:
\n" ); document.write( "2L + 2L - 6 = 86
\n" ); document.write( "combine like terms to get:
\n" ); document.write( "4L - 6 = 86
\n" ); document.write( "add 6 to both sides to get:
\n" ); document.write( "4L = 92
\n" ); document.write( "divide both sides by 4 to get:
\n" ); document.write( "L = 23
\n" ); document.write( "since W = L - 3, then:
\n" ); document.write( "W = 20
\n" ); document.write( "formula for perimeter is:
\n" ); document.write( "2L + 2W = 86
\n" ); document.write( "substitute for L and W to get:
\n" ); document.write( "2*23 + 2*20 = 86
\n" ); document.write( "simplify to get:
\n" ); document.write( "46 + 40 = 86
\n" ); document.write( "combine like terms to get:
\n" ); document.write( "86 = 86
\n" ); document.write( "values for L and W are good.
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );