The length of a rectangular piece of steel in a bridge is 3 meters less than double the width. The perimeter of the piece of steel is 48 meters. Find the length of the steel. Find the width.

What steps or formula do I use to solve this problem.

The length of a rectangular piece of steel in a bridge is 3 meters less than double the width. The perimeter of the piece of steel is 48 meters. Find the length of the steel. Find the width.

What steps or formula do I use to solve this problem. PLEASE HELP ASP!

To solve this problem, you can use the given information and solve for the length and width using algebraic equations. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Let's assume the width of the rectangular piece of steel is "W" meters.
2. According to the problem, the length is 3 meters less than double the width. Therefore, the length can be represented as "2W - 3" meters.
3. The perimeter of a rectangle is given by the formula P = 2L + 2W, where P is the perimeter, L is the length, and W is the width.
4. Now, substitute the given values into the equation: 48 = 2(2W - 3) + 2W.
5. Simplify the equation: 48 = 4W - 6 + 2W.
6. Combine like terms: 48 = 6W - 6.
7. Add 6 to both sides of the equation: 48 + 6 = 6W.
8. Simplify: 54 = 6W.
9. Divide both sides by 6: 54/6 = W.
10. Calculate: W = 9.
11. Now, substitute the found value of W back into the equation for the length: L = 2W - 3 = 2(9) - 3 = 18 - 3 = 15.

Therefore, the length of the steel is 15 meters and the width is 9 meters.

You just write down what they told you.

width: w
length: 2w-3

Then you try to remember the way perimeter is calculated.

2(w + 2w-3) = 48

Then you solve for w, and use that to get the length.