The perimeter of a rectangle is 48 inches. If the length is 2 more than the width, what is the length and width? Only an algebraic solution is accepted

Answers:

Length = 13 inches

Width = 11 inches

Work Shown:

w = width, some positive number

w+2 = length, since it is 2 inches more than the width

P = perimeter of the rectangle

P = 2(width + length)

P = 2(w + w+2)

P = 2(2w+2)

P = 4w+4

We're told that the perimeter is 48 inches. So we'll set the previous result equal to 48 and solve for w.

P = 48

4w+4 = 48

4w = 48-4

4w = 44

w = 44/4

w = 11

The width is 11 inches.

w+2 = 11+2 = 13

The length is 13 inches.

Checking the answers:

P = 2(L+W)

P = 2(13+11)

P = 2(24)

P = 48

The answers are confirmed.