Length and Width of Rectangle Given Area Calculator

Find the length and width of a rectangle when area and perimeter are known

Calculate Rectangle Dimensions

Total area of the rectangle

Total distance around the rectangle

Rectangle Dimensions

Enter area and perimeter to calculate dimensions
Both values must be positive numbers

Example Calculation

Garden Plot Example

Problem: A rectangular garden has an area of 24 m² and a perimeter of 20 m. What are its dimensions?

Given: Area = 24 m², Perimeter = 20 m

Solution Steps

1. From P = 2L + 2W: W = P/2 - L = 10 - L

2. Substitute in A = L × W: 24 = L × (10 - L)

3. Expand: 24 = 10L - L²

4. Rearrange: L² - 10L + 24 = 0

5. Solve: L = (10 ± √(100 - 96))/2 = (10 ± 2)/2

6. Solutions: L = 6 m, W = 4 m

Key Formulas

Rectangle Area

A = L × W

Rectangle Perimeter

P = 2L + 2W

Quadratic Solution

L = (P/2 ± √((P/2)² - 4A))/2

Diagonal Length

d = √(L² + W²)

Quick Tips

For a solution to exist: P ≥ 4√A

When P = 4√A, the rectangle is a square

The quadratic always gives two solutions that add up to P/2

Length is conventionally the longer dimension

Understanding Rectangle Dimension Calculations

Mathematical Approach

To find the length and width of a rectangle given its area and perimeter, we need to solve a system of equations. This leads to a quadratic equation that can be solved using the quadratic formula.

The Problem Setup

Given:

  • • Area (A) = L × W
  • • Perimeter (P) = 2L + 2W

Find: Length (L) and Width (W)

Solution Method

Step 1: W = P/2 - L

Express width in terms of length

Step 2: A = L × (P/2 - L)

Substitute into area equation

Step 3: L² - L×P/2 + A = 0

Rearrange to quadratic form

Step 4: Use quadratic formula

Solve for L, then find W

When Does a Solution Exist?

Condition for Real Solutions

For the quadratic equation to have real solutions, the discriminant must be non-negative:

(P/2)² - 4A ≥ 0

This simplifies to: P ≥ 4√A

Special Cases

  • • When P = 4√A: Rectangle is a square
  • • When P > 4√A: Two different solutions (length ≠ width)
  • • When P < 4√A: No real solution exists