Question

The length of a rectangular field is 24 meters. This is 3 meters less than twice the width. What is the width?

Answer 1

13.5 meters

Explanation:

Set up an equation with `w` representing the unknown width

`2w-3=24 rarr` 3 meters less than (subtracting 3) twice the width (multiplying by 2)

`2w=27`

`w=13.5`

Answer 2

`13.5" metres"`

Explanation:

`"let the width "=w`

`"then the length "=2w-3`

`"now the length "=24" metres"`

`rArr2w-3=24larr"solve for w"`

`"add 3 to both sides"`

`2wcancel(-3)cancel(+3)=24+3`

`rArr2w=27`

`"divide both sides by 2"`

`(cancel(2) w)/cancel(2)=27/2`

`rArr"width w "=27/2=13 1/2=13.5" metres"`