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AlgebraHardPerimeter equation for a rectangle

Algebra practice question

A rectangle's length is 6 centimetres more than its width w. Its perimeter is 60 centimetres. Which equation can be used to find w?

  1. A. 2w + 2(w + 6) = 60Correct
  2. B. w + (w + 6) = 60
  3. C. w(w + 6) = 60
  4. D. 2w + 6 = 60

Answer: A. 2w + 2(w + 6) = 60

Perimeter = 2(width) + 2(length) = 2w + 2(w + 6). Setting it equal to 60 gives w = 12.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. w + (w + 6) = 60
w + (w + 6) is only half the perimeter.
C. w(w + 6) = 60
w(w + 6) is the AREA.
D. 2w + 6 = 60
2w + 6 forgets to double the length.

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