SOLUTION: The perimeter of a rectangle is 64 inches. The width is 8 inches longer than the size of the length. What are the dimensions of rectangle? We think the length is 12 and the width

Algebra ->  Rectangles -> SOLUTION: The perimeter of a rectangle is 64 inches. The width is 8 inches longer than the size of the length. What are the dimensions of rectangle? We think the length is 12 and the width       Log On


   

Question 819561: The perimeter of a rectangle is 64 inches. The width is 8 inches longer than the size of the length. What are the dimensions of rectangle?
We think the length is 12 and the width is 20 but we aren't sure how to write it as an equation.
Thank you
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let L = length, W = width

"The width is 8 inches longer than the size of the length" ----> W+=+L%2B8

"The perimeter of a rectangle is 64 inches" means that P=2L%2B2W turns into 64=2L%2B2W

64=2L%2B2W

64=2L%2B2%28L%2B8%29 Plug in W = L+8 (ie replace W with L+8)

64=2L%2B2L%2B16

64=4L%2B16

64-16=4L

48=4L

4L=48

L=48%2F4

L=12

W+=+L%2B8

W+=+12%2B8

W+=+20

So the width is 20 inches and the length is 12 inches.