SOLUTION: The Width of a rectangle is 8 feet less than the length. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 64 feet, what are the dimensions of the rectangle?

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Question 389299: The Width of a rectangle is 8 feet less than the length. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 64 feet, what are the dimensions of the rectangle?
Answer by amaya(1) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First we need to set up a variable for our unknown. Let's use l for length. Since we know the relationship between the length and width, we can use l-8 for width, since the width i 8 ft less than the length.
Next, let's set up an algebraic expression. The perimeter of a rectangle is the distance around it, or twice the sum of its length and width. So we can set up the equation: 2(l+l-8)=64
Now let's solve for l.
First distribute the 2. 2l+2l-16=64
Combine like terms. 4l-16=64
Add 16 to both sides. 4l=80
Divide both sides by 4. l=20
We have solved for the length, which is 20ft. To solve for the width, use with is l-8, or 20-8 or 12ft. Great so now we have solved the problem:)