In a rectangle, one side is 3 cm larger than the other. The perimeter of the rectangle is 26 cm. Find the sides of the rectangle.

1. Let’s take the length of the first side of the rectangle as x cm.

2. Then, in order to record the length of its second side, we need to increase the first side by 3, that is, add 3 cm to the length of the first side. Then we get that the length of the second side is (x + 3) cm.

3. Since we know that the perimeter is 26 cm, we can write down the equation and find out what the first side of the rectangle is.

26 = x + x + (x + 3) + (x + 3);

26 = x + x + x + 3 + x + 3;

26 = 4x + 6;

26 – 6 = 4x;

20 = 4x;

x = 20/4;

x = 5 cm.

4. Find out the length of the second side.

5 + 3 = 8 cm.

Answer: The length of the first side of the rectangle is 5 cm, the second 8 cm.