A rectangle has a perimeter of 28 centimeters The width of the rectangle is 2 centimeters less than the length What is the area of the rectangle?

Let x be L, so W = x - 2

P = 2(L + W) substitute 28 for P, x for L, and x - 2 for W;

28 = 2(x + x - 2) divide by 2 to both sides;

14 = 2x - 2 divide by 2 to both sides;

7 = x - 1 add 1 to both sides;

8 = x

x - 2 = 8 - 2 = 6

So L = 8 cm and W = 6 cm.

A = LW = 8 x 6 = 48

Thus the area is 48 cm^2