The formula for determining the perimeter of a rectangle is expressed as
Perimeter = 2(length + width)
From the diagram,
length = 2x - 2
width = x
Perimeter = 50
Thus,
50 = 2(2x - 2 + x)
Dividing both sides of the equation by 2, it becomes
50/2 = 2x + x - 2
25 = 3x - 2
3x = 25 + 2 = 27
x = 27/3
x = 9
The length of the shorter side is 9
