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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from Krunox, a student: A rectangle is twice as long as it is wide. Its perimeter (the sum of the lengths of its sides) is 60 cm. Find its length and width. |
Hi Krunox,
The challenge here is to set up one or more equation that describes the situation and then solve the equation. My first step is, if possible, to draw a diagram. Here is my diagram.
You don't know the length or the width so let's say, let the width of the rectangle be $w$ cm. The length of the rectangle is twice the width so what is the length in terms of $w?$ What is the perimeter in terms of $w?$ But you know the perimeter is 60 cm. Solve for $w.$
Penny
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