A rectangle, a parallelogram with four right angles, brings together both its dimensions, known as its length and width, when calculating its perimeter. Because the shape is a parallelogram, both the length and the width have a matching parallel side, and each dimension is labeled by how it relates to the other --- the length is the longer side, and the width the shorter one. By working with the perimeter formula, which equals double the sum of the length and width, and the rectangle's length, you can easily find the rectangle's shorter width.
Instructions
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1
Multiply the measurement of the rectangle's longer side by 2. For example, let the longer side measure 10 inches --- 10 multiplied by 2 equals 20 inches.
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2
Subtract the previous step's product from the rectangle's perimeter. In this example, let the perimeter be 30 inches --- 30 less 20, or 30 - 20, equals 10 inches.
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3
Halve the difference from the prior step. Concluding this example, 10 divided by 2 equals 5 inches --- the length of the shorter side is 5 inches.