The primeter of a rectangle is 53 meters. The length is 2.3 meters longer than the width, w. Write and solve an equation to ind the width of the rectangle.

The perimeter is the total of adding all of the sides together. A rectangle has 2 lengths and 2 widths. The equation would be:

P = 2l + 2w or P = l + l + w + w

Since you know the perimeter, you can plug it into the equation

53 = 2l + 2w

You can divide the 2 on both sides

26.5 = l + w

l = w + 2.3 because the length is 2.3 meters longer/more than the width. You can substitute (w + 2.3) for "l" in the equation. So instead of:

26.5 = l + w

It will be:

26.5 = (w + 2.3) + w

26.5 = w + 2.3 + w

Subtract 2.3 on both sides

24.3 = w + w

24.3 = 2w

Divide 2 on both sides

12.1 = w

The width is 12.1 meters