The expression used to evaluate the perimeter of A’Leila’s pen is based on the relationship between the lengths of the sides of the rectangle formed by the pen. Here’s the breakdown of why each step was important:
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Understanding the Relationship Between the Sides: The problem states that one side of the rectangle (a) is one-third of the other side (b). This relationship, expressed as \( a = \frac{1}{3} b \), is crucial as it allows us to express one dimension in terms of the other. This is particularly useful because we could only determine one variable from the condition provided.
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Using the Perimeter Formula: The formula \( P = 2a + 2b \) is essential since it defines how the perimeter of a rectangle is calculated. It states that the perimeter is the sum of all sides, which for a rectangle can be simplified to twice the sum of its length and its width.
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Substituting \( a \) into the Perimeter Formula: By substituting \( a \) with \( \frac{1}{3} b \) in the perimeter formula, we can express the entire perimeter in terms of a single variable, \( b \). This simplifies our calculations, especially since we eventually have a specific value for \( a \) later on.
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Simplifying the Expression: By performing the arithmetic and combining like terms, we arrive at \( P = \frac{8}{3}b \). This simplified expression allows us to compute the perimeter directly once we know the value of \( b \).
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Finding \( b \) When \( a = 10 \): The step of substituting \( a \) with 10 and finding \( b \) is key. This step utilizes the initial relationship between the sides and allows us to find the corresponding length of \( b \) that works with our given \( a \).
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Calculating the Perimeter: Finally, substituting \( b = 30 \) into the previously derived perimeter formula \( P = \frac{8}{3}b \) gives us the total perimeter of the pen. This step provides the final answer, which is critical for understanding the dimensions of A’Leila’s pen.
In conclusion, each step built upon the previous ones, using the geometric relationships and properties of a rectangle to arrive at the final perimeter calculation. This structured approach ensures that we efficiently and accurately determine the dimensions and subsequently the perimeter of the donkey’s pen. If you have more questions or need further clarification on any details, I’m here to help!