How to Find the Width of a Rectangle

Set up the formula for area of a rectangle., Plug the values for area and length into the formula., Solve for w{\displaystyle w}., Write your final answer.

4 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Set up the formula for area of a rectangle.

    The formula is A=(l)(w){\displaystyle A=(l)(w)}, where A{\displaystyle A} equals the area of the rectangle, l{\displaystyle l} equals the length of the rectangle, and w{\displaystyle w} equals the width of the rectangle.This method will only work if you are given the area and length of the rectangle.

    You might also see the formula written as A=(h)(w){\displaystyle A=(h)(w)}, where h{\displaystyle h} equals the height of the rectangle and is used instead of length.These two terms refer to the same measurement.
  2. Step 2: Plug the values for area and length into the formula.

    Make sure you substitute for the correct variables.

    For example, if you are trying to find the width of a rectangle that has an area of 24 square centimeters, and a length of 8 centimeters, your formula will look like this:24=8w{\displaystyle 24=8w} , To do this, you need to divide each side of the equation by the length.

    For example, in the equation 24=8w{\displaystyle 24=8w}, you would divide each side by
    8.24=8w{\displaystyle 24=8w}248=8w8{\displaystyle {\frac {24}{8}}={\frac {8w}{8}}}3=w{\displaystyle 3=w} , Don’t forget to include the unit of measurement.

    For example, for a rectangle with an area of 24cm2{\displaystyle 24cm^{2}} and a length of 8cm{\displaystyle 8cm}, the width would be 3cm{\displaystyle 3cm}.
  3. Step 3: Solve for w{\displaystyle w}.

  4. Step 4: Write your final answer.

Detailed Guide

The formula is A=(l)(w){\displaystyle A=(l)(w)}, where A{\displaystyle A} equals the area of the rectangle, l{\displaystyle l} equals the length of the rectangle, and w{\displaystyle w} equals the width of the rectangle.This method will only work if you are given the area and length of the rectangle.

You might also see the formula written as A=(h)(w){\displaystyle A=(h)(w)}, where h{\displaystyle h} equals the height of the rectangle and is used instead of length.These two terms refer to the same measurement.

Make sure you substitute for the correct variables.

For example, if you are trying to find the width of a rectangle that has an area of 24 square centimeters, and a length of 8 centimeters, your formula will look like this:24=8w{\displaystyle 24=8w} , To do this, you need to divide each side of the equation by the length.

For example, in the equation 24=8w{\displaystyle 24=8w}, you would divide each side by
8.24=8w{\displaystyle 24=8w}248=8w8{\displaystyle {\frac {24}{8}}={\frac {8w}{8}}}3=w{\displaystyle 3=w} , Don’t forget to include the unit of measurement.

For example, for a rectangle with an area of 24cm2{\displaystyle 24cm^{2}} and a length of 8cm{\displaystyle 8cm}, the width would be 3cm{\displaystyle 3cm}.

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J

James Knight

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