Write and solve an equation for the situation.

The perimeter of a parallelogram is 64 meters. The width of the parallelogram is 8 meters less than its length. Find the length and the width of the parallelogram.

Let L = length

Let W = width.

2L + 2W = 64 meters.

W = L - 8

L = ?

W = ?

Divide the first equation by 2.

L + W = 64/2

L + W = 32

Substitute for the width.

L + L - 8 = 32 Combine like terms on the left

2L - 8 = 32 Add 8 to both sides.

2L = 32 + 8

2L = 40 Divide by 2

L = 40/2

L = 20

The width = 20 - 8 = 12 because the width is 8 less than the length.

Check

20 * 2 + 12*2 = ? 64

40 + 24 = ?64

64 = 63 They do check.

Let x meters be the length.

2[ (x-8) + x]=64

2x-8=32

x=20

Hence, the length and width are 20 meters and 12 meters respectively.