Stuck on math homework please help!?

The trick to finding a way to write expressions like "three yards less than twice the length" is to write it step-by-step.

Determine the smallest measurement or basic measurement.

In this case, it is the length

So let x equal the length

length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x <-- length

twice the length . . . . . . . .2x

3 yards less than that . . . 2x - 3 <-- width

(This means that the width is "3 yards less than twice the length")

Perimeter is the sum of both lengths plus both widths.

{2 lengths} + { . 2 widths} = Perimeter

{ . . .2x . . } + { . 2(2x-3) } = 96

2x + 2(2x-3) = 96

Solve for x, already defined as "length"

1) Clear the parentheses by distributing the 2

2x + 4x - 6 = 96

2) Combine like terms

6x - 6 = 96

3) Add 6 to both sides to isolate the 6x term

6x = 102

4) Divide both sides by 6 to isolate x (already defined as length)

x = 17 <-- length

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Use the value of 17 yards for the length to figure out the width

width = 2x - 3

width = 2(17) - 3

width = 34 - 3

Width = 31

Answer #1:

The dimensions of the garden:

17 yards × 31 yards

Check:

2 lengths + 2 widths should add up to 96

2 (17 ) . . + 2 ( 31 ) ..should equal 96

. 34. . . .  + 62 . . . . . should equal 96

. . . . . 96 . . . . . . . . . . .does equal 96  ✔

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Use the dimensions to find the area

Area = length × width

Area = . .17 . .× . 31

Area = . . . . .527 <-- answer

Answer #2:

The area of the garden is 527 square yards

W=2L-3

so perimeter is 2(L)+2(2L-3)=96