The width of the rectangle is 5 cm less than its length, and the perimeter is 38 cm. How long are the sides

The width of the rectangle is 5 cm less than its length, and the perimeter is 38 cm. How long are the sides of the rectangle?

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

2. Since the width of this rectangle is less than the length by 5 cm, therefore it will be (x – 5) cm.

3. Let’s make an equation and find out what the length of a given rectangle is equal to, if it is known that its perimeter is 38 cm. And in order to find the perimeter of a rectangle, you need to add the lengths of all its sides.

x + x + (x – 5) + (x – 5) = 38;

x + x + x – 5 + x – 5 = 38;

4x = 38 + 5 + 5;

4x = 48;

x = 48/4;

x = 12 cm.

4. Find out what the width is equal to.

12 – 5 = 7 cm.

Answer: The width is 7 cm, the length is 12 cm.