<PRE><B>Question 300542</B>
The perimeter of a rectangle is 36. The ratio of the lengths of the sides is 2 : 7. What are the lengths of the sides?


Let L be the length and W the width of the rectangle. We know that:

1.) W/L = 2/7 or
W = (2/7)*L

2.) 36 = 2*W + 2*L

Substituting (2/7)*L for W in equation 2.) we have:

36 = 2*(2/7)*L + 2*L
36 = (4/7)*L + (14/7)*L
36 = (18/7)*L

Multiply both sides by 7/18:

36*(7/18) = 1*L
14 = L

Calculate W = (2/7)*L

W = (2/7)*14
W = 4</PRE>