The perimeter of a rectangular flower bed is 26 m . If the length exceeds the breadth by 3 m , find its dimensions. Lindiwe is twice as old as Preeya and six years older than Sue. Their combined ages total 39 years. How old is Lindiwe?

To find the dimensions of the rectangular flower bed, let's denote the breadth as \( b \). Consequently, the length will be \( b + 3 \). The formula for the perimeter \( P \) of a rectangle is given by \( P = 2(l + b) \). Setting up the equation: \( 2((b + 3) + b) = 26 \) This simplifies to: \( 2(2b + 3) = 26 \) Dividing by 2: \( 2b + 3 = 13 \) Now, subtract 3 from both sides: \( 2b = 10 \) Dividing by 2 gives: \( b = 5 \) m. Thus, the length is \( b + 3 = 8 \) m. Therefore, the dimensions of the flower bed are 5 m (breadth) and 8 m (length). Moving on to the ages of Lindiwe, Preeya, and Sue, let Preeya's age be \( p \). Since Lindiwe is twice as old as Preeya, we have \( L = 2p \). Lindiwe is also six years older than Sue, so \( L = S + 6 \). The total of their ages gives us the equation: \( (2p) + p + (2p - 6) = 39 \) This simplifies to: \( 5p - 6 = 39 \) Adding 6 to both sides results in: \( 5p = 45 \) Dividing by 5, we find: \( p = 9 \) years. Hence, Lindiwe's age is: \( L = 2p = 18 \) years. Thus, Lindiwe is 18 years old!