The perimeter of a rectangular garden is 43.8 feet. Its length is 12.4 feet. What is its width?
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Understand the Problem
The question asks us to find the width of a rectangle given its perimeter and length. The perimeter of a rectangle is given by P = 2L + 2W, where P is the perimeter, L is the length, and W is the width. We are given P = 43.8 feet and L = 12.4 feet. We need to solve for W.
Answer
$9.5$ ft
Answer for screen readers
- 5 ft
Steps to Solve
- Write the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle
The perimeter $P$ of a rectangle is given by the formula $P = 2L + 2W$, where $L$ is the length and $W$ is the width.
- Substitute the given values into the formula
We are given that $P = 43.8$ feet and $L = 12.4$ feet. Substitute these values into the formula:
$43.8 = 2(12.4) + 2W$
- Simplify the equation
First, multiply 2 by 12.4:
$43.8 = 24.8 + 2W$
- Isolate the term with W
Subtract 24.8 from both sides of the equation:
$43.8 - 24.8 = 2W$ $19 = 2W$
- Solve for W
Divide both sides of the equation by 2:
$W = \frac{19}{2}$ $W = 9.5$
Therefore, the width of the rectangular garden is 9.5 feet.
- 5 ft
More Information
The width of the rectangular garden is 9.5 feet.
Tips
A common mistake is to forget to divide by 2 in the last step when solving for $W$. Another mistake is to calculate $2 \times 12.4$ incorrectly.
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