SOLUTION: Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the perimeter of the rectangle is 80. Set up an equation for the perimeter involving only L, t

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the perimeter of the rectangle is 80. Set up an equation for the perimeter involving only L, t      Log On


   

Question 188867: Suppose that the width of a rectangle is 2 inches shorter than the length and that the perimeter of the rectangle is 80.
Set up an equation for the perimeter involving only L, the length of the rectangle.
Solve this equation algebraically to find the length of the rectangle. Find the width as well.
Length ______, Width ______
Answer by jonvaliente(64) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let L = length of the rectangle
L-2 = width of the rectangle

The perimeter of the rectangle is 2*width + 2*length
%28%282%2AL%29%2B%282%2A%28L-2%29%29%29=80
Simplifying...
%282%2AL%29%2B%282%2AL%29-4=80
%284%2AL%29-4=80
Add 4 on both sides
%284%2AL%29=84
Divide both sides by 4 and solve for L
L=21
width = L-2
= 21-2
width = 19
Length 21, Width 19