Step-by-step explanation: You are given that the perimeter, P, of the rectangle is 42 meters (i.e., P = 42). Also, the length, L, of the rectangle is 3 meters less than 2 times the width, W (i.e., L = 2W - 3). Recall that the perimeter, P, of a rectangle is given by the following formula: P = 2W + 2L Substituting 2W - 3 for L, we arrive at the following: P = 2W + 2(2W - 3) P = 2W + 2·2W + 2·-3 P = 2W + 4W - 6 P = 6W - 6 Since we were given that P = 42, then 42 = 6W - 6 42 + 6 = 6W - 6 + 6 48 = 6W 48/6 = 6W/6 8 = W Therefore, the width of the rectangle is 8 meters. Use this value to solve for the length: L = 2W - 3 L = 2·8 - 3 L = 16 - 3 L = 13
