<PRE><B>Question 590348</B>
L = length of rectangle
W = width of rectangle
W = L - 3
P = perimeter = 86 feet.
formula for perimeter:
2L + 2W = 86
substitute L-3 for W to get:
2L + 2(L-3) = 86
simplify by removing parentheses to get:
2L + 2L - 6 = 86
combine like terms to get:
4L - 6 = 86
add 6 to both sides to get:
4L = 92
divide both sides by 4 to get:
L = 23
since W = L - 3, then:
W = 20
formula for perimeter is:
2L + 2W = 86
substitute for L and W to get:
2*23 + 2*20 = 86
simplify to get:
46 + 40 = 86
combine like terms to get:
86 = 86
values for L and W are good.
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