The length of a rectangle is one inch less than three times its width. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 118 inches, find the dimensions of the rectangle.

We can set up the width a X and, from the description the length would be 3X-1. The perimeter of a rectangle is determined by 2XL + 2Xw. Plugging into the equation 2(3X-1) + 2(X) = 118. Next distribute to get 6X-2 + 2X = 118. Combine like terms to get 8X = 120. Divide by 8 to get X = 15. The width is 15. The length is 3(15)-1 or 44. 88 +30 = 118