Given: Length of the wire (L) = 86 cm The largest side of the first rectangle (l1) = 26 cm The largest side of the second rectangle (l2) = 31 cm Formula used: The perimeter of a rectangle (L) = 2 (l + b) where l = length of the largest side; b = breadth Calculation: Length of the wire (L) = 86 cm The largest side of the first rectangle (l1) = 26 cm Let, the breadth (smallest side) of the first rectangle = b1 Therefore, 86 = 2 (26 + b1) ⇒ 26 + b1 = 86/2 = 43 ⇒ b1 = 43 - 26 = 17 The breadth (smallest side) of the first rectangle = 17 cm Hence, largest side of the second rectangle (l2) = 31 cm Let, the breadth (smallest side) of the second rectangle = b2 Therefore, 86 = 2 (31 + b2) ⇒ 31 + b2 = 86/2 = 43 ⇒ b2 = 43 - 31 = 12 ⇒ The breadth (smallest side) of the second rectangle = 12 cm The difference between the breadths (smallest side) of both the rectangles = (17 - 12) = 5 cm ∴ The difference between the breadths (smallest side) of both the rectangles is 5 cm.