The length of a rectangle is 2 inches less than 3 times the number of inches in its width. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 28 inches, what is the width and length of the rectangle?

Perimeter = 2L + 2w

in this case, L = 3w - 2 and perimeter = 28.

so, 28 = 2L + 2w. or 14 = L + w. or substitute for L: (3w - 2) + w = 14

or 4w - 2 = 14. 4w = 12. 12/4 = 3 = w.

The width = 3 inches; and the length = (3x3 - 2) 7 inches.