document.write( "Question 184998: an 100-foot cable is cut into two pieces.the first piece is 18 feet longer than the second piece.how long is each piece? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #139517 by swiemers(10) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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You need to assign variables for the two pieces of cable. They would be:
\n" ); document.write( "x
\n" ); document.write( "x + 18
\n" ); document.write( "Then you need to set up an equation with what they have given you, which is that the two pieces of cable together equal 100. So, the equation would be:
\n" ); document.write( "x + x + 18 = 100
\n" ); document.write( "Then you solve for x by combining like terms:
\n" ); document.write( "2x + 18 = 100
\n" ); document.write( "Then you need to move the 18 over:
\n" ); document.write( "2x = 82
\n" ); document.write( "Then you divide both sides by 2:
\n" ); document.write( "x = 41
\n" ); document.write( "This is your first piece of cable. The second one you can find from the first equations you found:
\n" ); document.write( "x + 18 = your second piece of cable, so sub in the value you have found for x:
\n" ); document.write( "41 + 18 = 59
\n" ); document.write( "Therefore, your two pieces of cable are:
\n" ); document.write( "41 feet and 59 feet\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps! Good luck! Sandy :-) \n" ); document.write( "

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