How to find the total distance: 120 length and 80 ft width
The correct answer and explanation is:
To find the total distance around a rectangle, you are looking for the perimeter.
Given:
- Length = 120 feet
- Width = 80 feet
✅ Formula for Perimeter of a Rectangle:
Perimeter=2×(Length+Width)\text{Perimeter} = 2 \times (\text{Length} + \text{Width})
🔢 Step-by-Step Calculation:
Perimeter=2×(120+80)\text{Perimeter} = 2 \times (120 + 80) Perimeter=2×200=400 feet\text{Perimeter} = 2 \times 200 = 400 \text{ feet}
✅ Final Answer:
The total distance (perimeter) is 400 feet.
📘 300-Word Explanation:
When we talk about the total distance around a rectangle, we are referring to the perimeter. The perimeter measures the total length of the boundary enclosing the shape. For a rectangle, which has two pairs of equal opposite sides, the formula to calculate the perimeter is: Perimeter=2×(Length+Width)\text{Perimeter} = 2 \times (\text{Length} + \text{Width})
In this problem, we are given the length as 120 feet and the width as 80 feet. To find the total distance around the shape, we simply add the length and width and then multiply the result by 2. This accounts for both sets of equal sides (2 lengths and 2 widths).
So: Length+Width=120+80=200\text{Length} + \text{Width} = 120 + 80 = 200 2×200=400 feet2 \times 200 = 400 \text{ feet}
This calculation tells us that if you were to walk all the way around this rectangle (like walking around a rectangular field), you would cover a total distance of 400 feet.
Understanding perimeter is important in real-life situations like fencing a yard, outlining a construction area, or determining the amount of material needed to border a space. Always remember that perimeter deals with distance around, while area deals with surface covered. So in this case, since you’re asked for total distance, you correctly calculate the perimeter.