document.write( "Question 855287: The length of a fence is 4 feet less than twice the width. Find the dimensions if 32 feet of fence is used along three sides of it. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #515299 by JulietG(1812)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! L = 2W - 4 [The length of a fence is 4 feet less than twice the width.] \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Not quite sure what the question is asking -- \"if 32 feet of fence is used along three sides of it.\" Does it mean that 32' is part of the perimeter? We'll assume so. \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "If we know that 32' is 2L+w or 2W+l (because the perimeter is (2L + 2W), we can solve both ways. \n" ); document.write( "Let's do 2W + L = 32 first. \n" ); document.write( "Substitute the value of L from the first equation. \n" ); document.write( "2W + (2W - 4) = 32 \n" ); document.write( "4W - 4 = 32 \n" ); document.write( "Add 4 to each side \n" ); document.write( "4W = 36 \n" ); document.write( "Divide by 4 \n" ); document.write( "W = 9 \n" ); document.write( "If the width is 9, then L = 2(9)-4, or 18-4, or 14 \n" ); document.write( "W = 9 and L = 14. The perimeter would be (2*9) + (2*14), or 18 + 28 = 46 \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Let's solve it the second way. \n" ); document.write( "2L + w = 32 \n" ); document.write( "Substitute the value of L from the first equation. \n" ); document.write( "2(2W - 4) + W = 32 \n" ); document.write( "Distribute \n" ); document.write( "4W - 8 + W = 32 \n" ); document.write( "5W - 8 = 32 \n" ); document.write( "Add 8 to each side \n" ); document.write( "5W = 40 \n" ); document.write( "Divide by 5 \n" ); document.write( "W = 8 \n" ); document.write( "If W is 8, then L is (2*8)-4 or 16-4, or 12 \n" ); document.write( "Two lengths for the perimeter = 24 + two widths = 16. 16+24=40 \n" ); document.write( " |