the length of a rectangle is 3 inches less than twice the width. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 18 incehs, find the width of the recta

Let L = length of the rectangle and W = width of the rectangle.

"length of a rectangle is 3 inches less than twice the width" translates to L = 2W-3.

Since the perimeter of a rectangle is: P = L + W + L + W or: P = 2L + 2W.

"perimeter of the rectangle is 18 inches: translates to: P = 18 or 2L + 2W = 18.

Using 2L + 2W = 18 and substituting 2W - 3 for L, we have:

2(2W-3) + 2W = 18

Multiplying out: 4W - 6 + 2W = 18 

Simplifying: 6W - 6 = 18

Adding 6 to both sides: 6W = 24

Dividing both sides by 6: W = 4

Since L = 2W - 3, L = 2(4) - 3 ---> L = 5