SOLUTION: The width of a rectangle is 3 feet less than its length. If the perimeter is 22 feet, what is the width?

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Question 235469: The width of a rectangle is 3 feet less than its length. If the perimeter is 22 feet, what is the width?

Answer by Stitch(470) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The perimeter of a rectangle equals 2L + 2W
Equation 1: P+=+2%2AL+%2B+2%2AW
Equation 2: W+=+L+-+3
Given: P = 22
Solution:
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Plug (L - 3) into equation 1 for W, and 22 for P
P+=+2%2AL+%2B+2%2AW
22+=+2%2AL+%2B+2%2A%28L+-+3%29 Rewrite the equation
22+=+2%2AL+%2B+2%2AL+-+6 Combine like terms
22+=+4%2AL+-+6 Add 6 to both sides
28+=+4%2AL Divide both sides by 4
7ft+=+L
Now plug the 7ft into equation 2 for L
W+=+L+-+3
W+=+7+-+3
W+=+4ft
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Check your answer using the values in equation 1
P+=+2%2AL+%2B+2%2AW
22+=+2%2A7+%2B+2%2A4
22+=+14+%2B+8
22+=+22