SOLUTION: Kate wants to build a fence around her yard. The width of the yard is one-third the length. The perimeter of the yard is 80 feet.

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Question 828061: Kate wants to build a fence around her yard. The width of the yard is one-third the length.
The perimeter of the yard is 80 feet.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If +W+ = width and +L+ = length,
the formula for perimeter is:
+P+=+2W+%2B+2L+
-----------------
given:
+P+=+80+
+W+=+%281%2F3%29%2AL+
Substitute these into the formula
+P+=+2W+%2B+2L+
+80+=+2%2A%281%2F3%29%2AL+%2B+2L+
Multiply both sides by +3+
+240+=+2L+%2B+6L+
+8L+=+240+
+L+=+30+
And, since
+W+=+%281%2F3%29%2AL+
+W+=+%281%2F3%29%2A60+
+W+=+10+
The width is 10 and the length is 30
check:
+P+=+2W+%2B+2L+
+80+=+2%2A10+%2B+2%2A30+
+80+=+20+%2B+60+
+80+=+80+
OK