Let

x = the width of the rectangle

x + 5 = the length of the rectangle (the difference between the length and the width is 5 meters actually means the length is 5 meters longer than the width)

P = 26 m the perimeter

The perimeter of rectangle is:

P = 2*width +2*length

P = 2*x + 2*(x + 5)

Now we can write the equation:

2*x + 2*(x + 5) = 26

........

click here to see the equation solved for x

........

x = 4 m

The width of the rectangle is 4 meters.