Question 223729
The perimeter of a rectangle is 64 meters. The sum of the length and width is 32 meters. Find the length and width of the rectangle. 


Step 1.  Perimeter P means adding up all 4 sides of a rectangle.


Step 2.  Let w be the width.


Step 3.  Let 32-w be the length.


Step 4.  Then, P=w+w+w-32+w-32=4w-64=64


*[invoke explain_simplification "4w-64=64" ]


With {{{w=32}}} and {{{w-32=0}}}.  And {{{P=2(32+0)=64}}} which is a true statement.  But the answer is not realistic.


Step 5.  ANSWER:  The width is 32 meters and the length is 0 meters to satisfy the problem statement.  So you were on the right track but note your equations are also identical if you multiply one of them by 2.


I hope the above steps were helpful.


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Good luck in your studies!


Respectfully,
Dr J