Find the length of a rectangle whose perimeter is 40 feet. The length is 2 more than 5 times the width. What is the length if we let the width be w? Then the length is 2 more than 5 times w. That is 2 +5w or 5w + 2. The perimeter is 2 widths added to 2 lengths: P = w+ w+ 5w+2 + 5w+2 We know P is 40. SEE that in the stated problem above.
40 = 12w + 4 Now solve for w. 36 = 12w thus w = 3 feet and the length is 5(3) + 2= 17.
Check the perimeter by adding the 2 widths and 2 lengths.
3+3+17+17 = 40 feet.
