SOLUTION: Thank you for being free for one thing and just thank you for helping !!!! My problem is that I can not break down word problems at all . word problem : in a rectangle photo th

Algebra ->  Human-and-algebraic-language -> SOLUTION: Thank you for being free for one thing and just thank you for helping !!!! My problem is that I can not break down word problems at all . word problem : in a rectangle photo th      Log On


   

Question 783659: Thank you for being free for one thing and just thank you for helping !!!!
My problem is that I can not break down word problems at all .
word problem : in a rectangle photo the width is 7cm less than the length if the perimeter of the photo is 34 cm find the length and width .
Now do that mean 7-34? or am I just slow ..
Once again THANK YOU WHO EVER YOU ARE !!!!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let L be the length and W be the width

It says that "the width is 7cm less than the length", so we know that W = L - 7

The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is

P = 2L + 2W

P = 2L + 2(L - 7) ... plug in W = L - 7 (replace W with L - 7)

34 = 2L + 2(L - 7) ... plug in P = 34 (the given perimeter)


Now we solve for L

34 = 2L + 2(L - 7)

34 = 2L + 2L - 14

34 = 4L - 14

34+14 = 4L

48 = 4L

4L = 48

L = 48/4

L = 12

The length is 12 cm.

Now turn to W = L - 7 and plug in L = 12

W = L - 7

W = 12 - 7

W = 5

And the width is 5 cm.