Assessment Practice 12. 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 \( 18 \boxminus 4 s \), where \( s \) is the side length of the table, to determine the side length of the tabletop. Explain how you found your answer.
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To find the side length of Jerry's square tabletop, we start with the equation \( 18 = 4s \), where \( s \) is the side length. To solve for \( s \), we can rearrange it to get \( s = \frac{18}{4} \). When we simplify that, we find \( s = 4.5 \) feet. Among the given options, \( 4 \frac{1}{2} \) feet equals \( 4.5 \) feet, which confirms that this is the correct side length! Now, let’s consider the perimeter of a square tabletop. The formula for the perimeter is \( P = 4s \), where \( s \) is the side length. By knowing the perimeter, you can easily backtrack to find the side. Just divide the perimeter by 4! It's a neat little math trick—perfect for DIY enthusiasts or anyone crafting their own furniture!