document.write( "Question 65882: The width of a rectangle is 3ft. less than the length. The perimeter is 10ft. Find the width \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #46642 by Earlsdon(6294) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Let L = length and W = width. From the desciption we can write:
\n" ); document.write( "W = L-3 or L = W+3
\n" ); document.write( "The perimeter of a rectangle is given by:
\n" ); document.write( "P = 2L+2W = 10 Substiute the L from above and solve:
\n" ); document.write( "2(W+3)+2W = 10 Simplify and solve for W.
\n" ); document.write( "2W+6+2W = 10
\n" ); document.write( "4W+6 = 10 Subtract 6 from both sides.
\n" ); document.write( "4W = 4 Divide both sides by 4.
\n" ); document.write( "W = 1
\n" ); document.write( "The width is 1 foot.
\n" ); document.write( "Check:
\n" ); document.write( "P = 2L+2W = 2(W+3) + 2W = 2(1+3) + 2(1) = 2(4) + 2 = 10 Good!
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