Question

the width of a room is 1/3 its length. if the perimeter is 144m, find the dimensions

Answer 1

so you have 2 variables, one for each set of sides.

lets say there are 2 x length sides and 2 y length sides to equal 144m perimeter

to get x and y you need to find a value of x and y that when added together equals 72 but that 3x = y

so you now have 2 equations

3x = y and x + y = 72

with this you can solve for x by plugging the value of y into the second equation

x + (3x) = 72 ---> 3x + x = 72 -- > 4x = 72 --> x = 18

then find y

3(18) = y

y = 54

and voila, you have your rectangle, 2 sides are 54m and 2 sides are 18m