Question 515421:  If the length and width of a rectangle are doubled, how do the perimeters of the original and new rectangles compare? 
 Found 2 solutions by  richard1234, oberobic: Answer by richard1234(7193)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! The perimeter of the new rectangle is double. To show this algebraically, we let L and W be the length, width of the original rectangle. The perimeter is 2L + 2W. The new rectangle would have dimensions 2L and 2W, and the perimeter would be 2(2L ) + 2(2W) = 4L + 4W, or double the original perimeter. 
 Answer by oberobic(2304)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! P = perimeter = 2(L+W) = 2L + 2W 
A = area = L*W 
. 
If you double L and W, you have 2L and 2W 
so 
P = 2(2L + 2W) = 4L + 4W 
which means the perimeter has doubled from 2L + 2W to 4L + 4W. 
. 
A = 2L*2W 
A = 4L*W 
. 
However, the area has quadrupled. 
Why? 
2*2 = 4 
. 
As a check, consider a rectangle with sides = 4 ft. 
(Yes, it's a square.) 
. 
P = 2(4+4) = 2(8) = 16 ft 
A = 4*4 = 16 sq ft 
. 
Now double the sides = 8 ft 
. 
P = 2(8+8) = 2*16 = 32 
A = 8*8 = 64 
. 
The perimeter doubled from 16 to 32 ft. 
The area quadrupled from 16 to 64. 
. 
Done. 
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