One side of a rectangle is 3 inches shorter than the other side, and the perimeter is 54 inches.

Which of the following equations could be used to determine the dimensions of the rectangle?

I thought this would be 3x+54 but im way off....

Question

One side of a rectangle is 3 inches shorter than the other side, and the perimeter is 54 inches.

Which of the following equations could be used to determine the dimensions of the rectangle?

I thought this would be 3x+54 but im way off....

e.mccormick · Answer

With these, it can be easiet to draw a diagram.  Now, the perimeter of a rectangle is all 4 sides, right? So|dw:1367614964145:dw|That has been given.  Now, if the shorter sides are 3 shorted than the long, would would be short by 3?

e.mccormick · Answer

In math, if I say something is three less than something, what would that be as a calculation?

anonymous · Answer

Multiplication?

e.mccormick · Answer

Multiplication is three times.  

If I said, "five is three less than two," how would you write that in math?

anonymous · Answer

hmmm wouldn't it be 5x-2? or something close?

anonymous · Answer

Im really bad at algebra I really need to work on my skills..

e.mccormick · Answer

I don't mean with an x.  Just numbers.  How does 5 get to 2?

e.mccormick · Answer

Start with numbers because you know them more naturally.  Then letters.

anonymous · Answer

subtract

anonymous · Answer

ok

e.mccormick · Answer

So 5-3=2, which is correct.

So now we go to a side that is 3 less.  Because it is subtract, that is x-3, right?

anonymous · Answer

right

e.mccormick · Answer

So now back to the diagram.
|dw:1367615657952:dw|