SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 15 cm more than its width (w). A blue rectangle, which is 5 cm wider and 2 cm shorter than the red one, has a perimeter 72 cm. Make a sketch of the rec

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 15 cm more than its width (w). A blue rectangle, which is 5 cm wider and 2 cm shorter than the red one, has a perimeter 72 cm. Make a sketch of the rec      Log On


   



Question 1125346: The length of a rectangle is 15 cm more than its width (w). A blue rectangle, which is 5 cm wider and 2 cm shorter than the red one, has a perimeter 72 cm. Make a sketch of the rectangles expressing all dimensions in terms of (w). Then find the dimensions of each rectangle.
I got this straight out of my textbook and I attempted to solve it, I got the red rectangle right but I didn't for the blue one.

Found 2 solutions by solver91311, josgarithmetic:
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Show the work you did and then we can figure out what you did wrong.


John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it


Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The drawing you could (and must) do yourself.

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The length of a RED rectangle is 15 cm more than its width (w). A blue rectangle, which is 5 cm wider and 2 cm shorter than the red one, has a perimeter 72 cm. Make a sketch of the rectangles expressing all dimensions in terms of (w). Then find the dimensions of each rectangle.
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Red Rectangle

Length w+15
Width w


Blue Rectangle

Length, w+15-2=w+13
Width, w+5
Perimeter, 72

highlight_green%282%28w%2B13%29%2B2%28w%2B5%29=72%29
Simplify and solve this equation for w. Once done, you can evaluate the dimensions for the Red rectangle and for the Blue rectangle.

(drawing the figures will help you see the situation more clearly.)