The perimeter of a rectangle is to be no greater than 130 centimeters and the length must be 40 centimeters. Find the maximum width of the rectangle.

First, understand the problem. Then translate the statement into an inequality.

the perimeter of the rectangle —> X + 40 + __

is less than or equal to —> __

130 —> 130

1 answer

The maximum width of the rectangle can be represented by the variable X.

The perimeter of the rectangle is equal to 2(length + width), so we can write the inequality as:

2(40 + X) ≤ 130

Simplifying the inequality:

80 + 2X ≤ 130

Subtracting 80 from both sides:

2X ≤ 130 - 80

2X ≤ 50

Dividing both sides by 2:

X ≤ 25

Therefore, the maximum width of the rectangle is 25 centimeters.