Data and background
• The length (l) of a rectangle is 5 yd longer than its width (w).
,• The perimeter (P) of the rectangle is 70 yd.
,• The perimeter (P) of a rectangle is given by:
[tex]P=2w+2l[/tex]where w represents the width and l the length.
Procedure
We have to build two equations with the information given.
• Equation 1
[tex]70=2w+2l[/tex]• Equation 2
[tex]l=w+5[/tex]Then, we have to replace the isolated expression of l from equation 2 in equation 1:
[tex]70=2w+2(w+5)[/tex]Simplifying the parenthesis:
[tex]70=2w+2w+10[/tex]Adding similar terms:
[tex]2w+2w=70-10[/tex][tex]4w=60[/tex][tex]w=\frac{80}{4}[/tex][tex]w=15[/tex]Now that we know the value of w, we can calculate the value of l with equation 2:
[tex]l=15+5[/tex][tex]l=20[/tex]Answer:
• Width: 15yd
,• Length: 20yd
