Question 386806
Rectangles have two pairs of sides with exactly the same measure.
Two of the measures are the width
Two of the measures are the length
let W=width
let L=length
The perimeter of a rectangle is the sum of the lengths of all its sides.
Two of these sides are equal to W, and 2 are equal to L. The equation can therefore be represented as:
2W+2L=74
We know that the rectangle's length is 5 less than 2 times its width. This can be expressed as:
L=2W-5
We now have L in terms of W. This can be substituted into our first equation.
2W+2L=74
2W+2(2W-5)=74
2W+4W-10=74
6W-10=74
6W=84
W=14
We have the width of the rectangle. We can substitute this into the second equation to find the length.
L=2W-5
{{{L=2*14-5}}}
L=28-5
L=23
So, the length of the rectangle is 23 and the width is 14.
This answer can be checked by plugging both values into the first equation.
2W+2L=74
{{{2*14+2*23=74}}}
28+46=74
74=74
Since 74 is equal to 74, the values we determined for width and length are accurate.