Question

jerry built a table with a square top. the perimeter of the tabletop is 18 feet. he knows that the side length of the table is 3, 3\frac{1}{4}, 4, or 4\frac{1}{2} feet. use the equation 18 = 4s, where s is the side length of the table, to determine the side length of the tabletop. explain how you found your answer.

Explanation:

Step1: Solve for s in the equation

We have the equation \( 18 = 4s \). To find \( s \), we divide both sides of the equation by 4.
\( s=\frac{18}{4} \)

Step2: Simplify the fraction

Simplify \( \frac{18}{4} \) by dividing numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2.
\( s = \frac{9}{2}=4\frac{1}{2} \)

Answer:

The side length of the tabletop is \( 4\frac{1}{2} \) feet.