The first line of the question states that the particular rectangle is twice as long as its width. We don’t know the numbers, so let’s assume its width is w inches and its length is 2w (as it is twice the width and 2w literally means multiply 2 by the width).
As per the second sentence of the question, if you reduce its length by 3 meters, you would get (2w-3), and if you increase its width, you would get (w+3).
Can I say that 2w-3 = w+3 (because they are two different sides of the same square, and each side of a square has the same length)
2w-w = 3+3 (by manipulating the simple equations and solving for w)
Hence, w=6
Another way to think of this question is…
You would get a square with the same perimeter (the sum of all sides) as the rectangle because subtracting 3 from the lengths and adding 3 to the widths doesn’t affect the perimeter. So we are still the same in terms of perimeter, even if the shape has changed from a rectangle to a square.
Perimeter of the rectangle = 2w + w + 2w + w = 6w
Perimeter of the square = (w+3) + (w+3) + (w+3) + (w+3) = 4(w+3) = 4w + 12
Therefore, 6w = 4w + 12 (perimeter of the rectangle is the same as the square)
6w-4w = 12
2w = 12
w = 6
There are multiple ways to think about a question. If you have strong fundamentals, you can get the answer one way or the other.
Many people search for these questions, looking for a solution, as they give practice tests. So answering a bunch of them can bring a lot of candidates to the website, taking advantage of the questions of popular practice test for example for GED