The perimeter of parallelogram is 72 meters. the width of the parallelogram is 4 meters less than its length . find the length and the width of the parallelogram.

Let n = length
let n-4 = width since it is 4 meters shorter

2( n+n-4)  =72  Two of the length and width added together equal the perimeter
combine like terms
2(2n -4) = 72   Now use the distributive law on the left side of the equation
4n -8 = 72    Now add 8 to both sides

4n -8 +8 = 72 +8
4n = 80  Finally divide each side by 4
n=20
so the length is 20 and the width is 4 less or 16.
Let's see if our answer works.
20 + 16 + 20 +16 =?  72
 72 =72  yes, it does.   Length = 20 Width = 16