Question

The ratio of the length of a rectangle to its width is 8 to 5. If the longer side of the rectangle is 20 ft, what is the length of its shorter side?

Answer 1

12.5
8:20=5:12.5
We know the length is longer from the ratio

Answer 2

We can set up a proportion. The ratio of its length to width is 8 to 5. The longer side of the rectangle is 20 ft, or the length. So we have:


`\sf(8)/(5)=(20)/(x)`

Cross multiply:


`\sf (5)(20)=(8)(x)`


`\sf 100=8x`

Divide 8 to both sides:


`\boxed{\sf x=12.5}`

So the length of its shorter side(width) is 12.5 feet.