SOLUTION: The ratio of width to length in a rectangle is 3:8. If the length of the rectangle is 20 inches, what is the width?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Geometry -> SOLUTION: The ratio of width to length in a rectangle is 3:8. If the length of the rectangle is 20 inches, what is the width?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 421088: The ratio of width to length in a rectangle is 3:8. If the length of the rectangle is 20 inches, what is the width?
Answer by dudeantariksh(10) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
hiee there..
well let us first note down what data is given to us in the question. here we go..
DATA GIVEN- 1.The ratio of width to length in a rectangle is 3:8.
2.the length of the rectangle is 20 inches
NOW,
WE MAKE USE OF data 1.
it is given that the ratio of the width to the length is 3:8.
from this we can deduce that the length and the width have some common multiple due to which the ratio was obtained.
let us assume that common multiple to be 'x'.
if we do so, we get
width = 3x inches........ ...............................result 1
and
length = 8x inches......................................result 2
now, we are given that length = 20 inches................result 3
therefore,,from results 2 and 3, we get
8x = 20
therefore, dividing throughout by 8, we get
x = 2.5......................................result 4
using result 4 in result 1.
width = 3x = 3 multiplied by 2.5
= 7.5 inches..
answer - the width of the rectangle is 7.5 inches