SOLUTION: The length of the parking lot is 20 yd longer than the width. The perimeter is 360 yd. Write and solve an equation to find the width of the parking lot. Could you help??

Algebra ->  Rectangles -> SOLUTION: The length of the parking lot is 20 yd longer than the width. The perimeter is 360 yd. Write and solve an equation to find the width of the parking lot. Could you help??      Log On


   

Question 941960: The length of the parking lot is 20 yd longer than the width. The perimeter is 360 yd. Write and solve an equation to find the width of the parking lot. Could you help??
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +P+ = the perimeter in yds
It is assumed that the parking lot is a rectangle
The formula for perimeter is:
+P+=+2W+%2B+2W+
+360+=+2W+%2B+2L+
--------------------
+L+=+W+%2B+20+
Substitute this into the formula for perimeter
+360+=+2w+%2B+2%2A%28+W+%2B+20+%29+
+360+=+2W+%2B+2W+%2B+40+
+4W+=+320+
+W+=+80+
The width is 80 yds
--------------------
check:
+L+=+W+=+20+%5D%5D%5D%0D%0A%5B%5B%5B+L+=+80+%2B+20+
+L+=+100+
and
+360+=+2W+%2B+2L+
+360+=+2%2A80+%2B+2%2A100+
+360+=+160+%2B+200+
+360+=+360+
OK