I was given this interesting problem:

Question

The length of a rectangle is 6 feet longer than its width. The perimeter is less than 48 feet. Write a mathematical expression for the width of the rectangle.

How do I go about doing this?

Answer 1

What does the problem say:
Perimeter is less than 48ft.
Let P=perimeter
Let L=length
Let W=width
P<48ft
Express perimeter in terms of length and width:
P=L+W+L+W
or
L+W+L+W<48ft
Express the width as a funtion of L.
Substitute that value into the above equation and solve for W.

Answer 2

Sorry the next to last line should say to express LENGTH as a function of W.
Then, solve for W.