SOLUTION: The perimeter of a rectangle is 48 centimeters. The width is three more than twice the length. Find the length and width

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Question 831550: The perimeter of a rectangle is 48 centimeters. The width is three more than twice the length. Find the length and width
Answer by JulietG(1812) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A perimeter is a fence. How much fencing do you need to go around a rectangle?
P = 2W + 2L (you'll need two pieces of length + 2 pieces of width)
Given:
P = 48
W = 2L + 3
.
Plug those into the original equation:
48 = 2L + 2(2L + 3) [substituted the value of the width for W]
48 = 2L +4L + 6
Add the Ls
48 = 6L + 6
Subtract 6 from each side
42 = 6L
Divide each side by 6
7 = L <<--
If the length is 7, and we know the width is 3 more than twice the length, the width must be (7*2)+3, or 17
.
Let's see if that works.
48 = 2(7) + 2(17)
48 = 14 + 34
Success!