Question

The perimeter of a paved area being built at a playground is going to be 46 meters. If the length and width are each a whole number of meters, what should the length and width of the area be to cover the greatest possible area? Draw a picture and make an organized list to solve.

Answer 1

First, a square gives the greatest area, but the length and width are whole numbers. 4 doesn't go equally into 46, but since it does in 48, our results should be a close to 12 X 12 as possible, so the size is 12 meters by 11 meters
2l + 2w = P
2(12) + 2(11) = P
24 + 22 = 26.