the width of a rectangle is 12 cm less than the length the perimeter is 156 cm. Find the with and length

w = l - 12

156 = 2l + 2w

Since we have a value of w, we can plug that into the variable w to find the exact value of l.

156 = 2l + 2 (l - 12)

Distributive property.

156 = 2l + 2l - 24

Combine like terms.

156 = 4l - 24

Add 24 to both sides.

180 = 4l

Divide both sides by 4.

l = 45

Now that we have the exact value of l, we can find the exact value of w.

w = l - 12

w = 45 - 12

w = 33

We now know the width is equal to 33 cm, and the length is equal to 45 cm. (This is your answer.)

We can verify by plugging these values into the second equation.

156 = 2l + 2w

156 = 2 (45) + 2 (33)

156 = 90 + 66

156 = 156 √ this is correct.