Question: The length of fence required to enclose a rectangular field is 3000 metres. What are the dimensions of the field if it is known that the difference between the length and width is 50 metres?

Hi Angie,

If the length of the field is L meters and the width is W meters then the perimeter (distance around the field) is

2W + 2L

But you know this is 3000 meters so

2L + 2W = 3000 meters.

You are also told that L - W = 50 meters and hence L = W + 50. Hence

2(W + 50) + 2W = 3000

Solve for W.

Penny