SOLUTION: A 17 foot rope is to be cut into two pieces with the result that the longer piece is 1 foot more than 3 times the shorter piece. How long should each piece of rope be?

Question 257049: A 17 foot rope is to be cut into two pieces with the result that the longer piece is 1 foot more than 3 times the shorter piece. How long should each piece of rope be?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A 17 foot rope is to be cut into two pieces with the result that the longer piece is 1 foot more than 3 times the shorter piece. How long should each piece of rope be?
"
:
let x = the shorter piece
let y = the longer piece
therefore:
x + y = 17
:
It states that, "the longer piece is 1 foot more than 3 times the shorter piece."
therefore:
y = 3x + 1
:
Replace y with (3x+1) in the 1st equation
x + (3x + 1) = 17
4x = 17 - 1
4x = 16
x = 16/4
x = 4 ft is the shorter piece
then
y = 3(4) + 1
y = 13 ft is the longer piece
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