Question 171804
Let x=length and y=width


Remember, the perimeter formula is {{{P=2L+2W}}} where L and W is the length and 
width



"A rectangle with a perimeter of 64 inches" translates to {{{64=2x+2y}}}


and 


"one side that is 4 inches shorter than the other" translates to {{{y=x-4}}}



{{{64=2x+2y}}} Start with the first equation



{{{64=2x+2(x-4)}}} Plug in {{{y=x-4}}}



{{{64=2x+2x-8}}} Distribute.



{{{64=4x-8}}} Combine like terms on the right side.



{{{64+8=4x}}} Add 8 to both sides.



{{{72=4x}}} Combine like terms.



{{{72/4=x}}} Divide both sides by {{{4}}} to isolate {{{x}}}.



{{{18=x}}} Reduce



So the first answer is {{{x=18}}} which means that the length is 18 inches



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{{{y=x-4}}} Go back to the second equation



{{{y=18-4}}} Plug in {{{x=18}}}



{{{y=14}}} Subtract



So the second answer is {{{y=14}}} which means that the width is 14 inches.




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Answer:



So the length is 18 inches and the width is 14 inches