The length of the rectangle is 7 inches and the width is 5 inches shorter. What is the perimeter of the rectangle?

Let’s find the width of the rectangle from the condition of the problem: b = a – 5 = 7 – 5 = 2 dm.
As you know, the perimeter of a rectangle is calculated by the formula: P = (a + b) * 2, where a is the length of the rectangle, b is the width of the rectangle.
Substitute all known values in the formula: P = (7 + 2) * 2 = 14 + 4 = 18 dm.
Answer: the perimeter of the rectangle is 18 dm.