SOLUTION: The perimeter of a rectangular building is 234 feet. The width is 25 feet shorter than the length. What are the dimensions? (Let W represent the width and L represent the length.)

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Question 209776: The perimeter of a rectangular building is 234 feet. The width is 25 feet shorter than the length. What are the dimensions? (Let W represent the width and L represent the length.) Is the answer A,B,C, or D? I couldn't figure it out. Thank you.
A) W = L - 25, 2L + 2W = 234
B) W = L - 25, L + W = 234
C) L = W - 25, 2L + W = 234
D) W = L + 25, 2L + 2W = 234
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Since "The width is 25 feet shorter than the length", this means that the width W is . In other words, take the length L and subtract 25 ft to get the width.

Ex: if the length is 50 ft, then the width is ft

Now it helps to remember that the perimeter formula is which you could rearrange to (as the answer choices do so). Now plug in the perimeter to get

Putting this together, we have the equations: and .

So the answer is A)

Note: to find W and L, simply use substitution or elimination on the two equations.