The perimeter of the parallelogram is 72 meters. The width of a parallelogram is four meters less than its length, find the length and the width of a parallelogram.

let n = length

let n-4 = width since it is 4 meters shorter

2 (n+n-4) = 72 Two of the length and width added together equal the perimeter

combine like terms

2 (2n - 4) = 72 Now use the distributive law on the left side of the equation

4n - 8 = 72 Now add 8 to both sides

4n - 8 + 8 = 72 + 8

4n = 80 Finally divide each side by 4

n=20

so the length is 20 and the width is 4 less or 16.

Let's see if our answer works.

20 + 16 + 20 + 16 = ? 72

72 = 72 yes, it does. Length = 20 Width = 16