<PRE><B>Question 498482</B>
First we need a variable for the width. The variable for the length can be the same variable plus 5
width = W
length = W + 5 inches.
The sum equals 41.
width + length = 41.
The sum expressed as our variables is:
W + W + 5 = 41.
We have 2W. 
Subtract 5 from each side.
2W = 36
W = 18 inches.
L = 18 + 5 = 23 inches.
18 inches + 23 inches = 41 inches.
This does check.
The perimeter is 2 times the length plus 2 times the width; which is the entire area around the triangle.
A diagram will look something like this:
@@@@@@@@@@@@@------------------length = 23-----------------
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@Width = 18@@@|*****************************************- width = 18
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|*****************************************-
@@@@@@@@@@@@@|------------------length = 23-----------------
Cleomenius </PRE>