A rectangle's length and width are in a ratio of 3:2. The perimeter is 100 meters. What are the length and width?

length =
meters

width =
meters

1 answer

Let the length of the rectangle be \( L \) and the width be \( W \). According to the problem, the length and width are in a ratio of 3:2, which we can express as:

\[ L = 3x \quad \text{and} \quad W = 2x \]

for some variable \( x \).

The formula for the perimeter \( P \) of a rectangle is given by:

\[ P = 2L + 2W \]

We know the perimeter is 100 meters, so we can set up the equation:

\[ 2L + 2W = 100 \]

Substituting the expressions for \( L \) and \( W \):

\[ 2(3x) + 2(2x) = 100 \]

Simplifying this:

\[ 6x + 4x = 100 \]

\[ 10x = 100 \]

Now, we solve for \( x \):

\[ x = 10 \]

Now we can find the length and width:

\[ L = 3x = 3(10) = 30 \text{ meters} \] \[ W = 2x = 2(10) = 20 \text{ meters} \]

Finally, the dimensions of the rectangle are:

\[ \text{length} = 30 \text{ meters} \] \[ \text{width} = 20 \text{ meters} \]