Questions: Without actually solving the problem, choose the correct solution by deciding which choice satisfies the given conditions. The length of a rectangle is 3 feet longer than the width. The perimeter is 18 feet. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.
Which choice satisfies the given conditions?
A. length = 5 feet; width = 4 feet
B. length = 5 feet; width = 2 feet
C. length = 6 feet; width = 3 feet
Transcript text: Without actually solving the problem, choose the correct solution by deciding which choice satisfies the given conditions. The length of a rectangle is 3 feet longer than the width. The perimeter is 18 feet. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.
Which choice satisfies the given conditions?
A. length $=5$ feet; width $=4$ feet
B. length $=5$ feet; width $=2$ feet
C. length $=6$ feet; width $=3$ feet
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understand the problem
The problem states that the length of a rectangle is 3 feet longer than its width, and the perimeter is 18 feet. We are asked to determine which of the given choices satisfies these conditions.
Step 2: Recall the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle
The perimeter \( P \) of a rectangle is given by:
\[
P = 2 \times (\text{length} + \text{width})
\]
Given that \( P = 18 \) feet, we can write:
\[
2 \times (\text{length} + \text{width}) = 18
\]
Simplifying, we get:
\[
\text{length} + \text{width} = 9
\]
Step 3: Check each choice against the conditions
We need to check which choice satisfies both:
The length is 3 feet longer than the width.
The sum of the length and width is 9 feet.
Choice A: length = 5 feet; width = 4 feet
Check condition 1: \( 5 = 4 + 3 \) → True.
Check condition 2: \( 5 + 4 = 9 \) → True.
Choice B: length = 5 feet; width = 2 feet
Check condition 1: \( 5 = 2 + 3 \) → True.
Check condition 2: \( 5 + 2 = 7 \) → False.
Choice C: length = 6 feet; width = 3 feet
Check condition 1: \( 6 = 3 + 3 \) → True.
Check condition 2: \( 6 + 3 = 9 \) → True.
Step 4: Identify the correct choice
Both Choice A and Choice C satisfy the conditions. However, since the problem asks to choose the correct solution, we can conclude that both A and C are valid solutions.