Solve Geometry Applications: Triangles, Rectangles, and the Pythagorean Theorem: example 3.42

The length of a rectangle is 32 meters and the width is 20 meters. What is the perimeter?

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

The length of a rectangle is 120 yards and the width is 50 yards. What is the perimeter?

How did it go?

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the perimeter of a rectangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let P = the perimeter.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Step 6. Check. $\begin{matrix} P & ≟ & 104 \\ 20 + 32 + 20 + 32 & ≟ & 104 \\ 104 & = & 104 ✓ \end{matrix}$
Step 7. Answer the question.	The perimeter of the rectangle is 104 meters.

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the perimeter of a rectangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let P = the perimeter.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Step 6. Check. $\begin{matrix} P & ≟ & 104 \\ 20 + 32 + 20 + 32 & ≟ & 104 \\ 104 & = & 104 ✓ \end{matrix}$
Step 7. Answer the question.	The perimeter of the rectangle is 104 meters.