A man entered a city art gallery and did terrible damage to some very valuable Impressionist paintings. Later that day, instead of being arrested, he was thanked by the curator of the art gallery for his actions. How come?

he might have had insurance so he wouldve made a profit of this?

Explanation:

perimeter = 2l +2w, divide total perimeter by 2 for total length of 1 side and 1 width

172/2 = 86 (  total for 1 side and 1 width)

86-24 = 62 (since length is 24 ft longer subtract 24 then divide by 2 for width)

62/2 = 31

width = 31 feet

length = 31 +24 = 55 feet

check: 31*2 = 62, 55*2 = 110,  110+62 = 172