The width of a rectangle is 7 inches less than the length. the perimeter is 34 inches. find the length and the width.

W=width; L= length
2(L-7) +2L= 34
I put everything in terms of the length so that I'm able to figure out atleast one of the sides quicker than guessing and checking.
2L-14 + 2L= 34; I used distributive property on the parenthesis and I'm about to add like terms.
4L=48
L=12
We know that the length is 12, and we know that the width is 7 inches less, so it is 5.
Now let's check.
5+5+12+12= 34
10+24=34
34=34
The length is 12 inches and the width is 5 inches.