document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=596089>Question 596089</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A 21 ft board is cut into two pieces. The shorter piece is 5 ft than the longer piece . What is the length of the longer piece? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #377504 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=math-vortex><B>math-vortex(648)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-11.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=math-vortex><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=math-vortex><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=377504\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A 21 ft board is cut into two pieces. The shorter piece is 5 ft than the longer piece . What is the length of the longer piece?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Hi, there--<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "One way to solve this problem is to experiment with pairs of numbers that are 5 feet apart until you find two that add up to 21 feet. This works, but it can be time consuming.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Here is a method using algebra:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let's have x be the length of the shorter piece.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The other piece is feet longer, In algebra, we write that as x+5.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now we make an equation. The two lengths add up to 21 feet, so<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%2B%28x%2B5%29=21 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%2B%28x%2B5%29=21\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Simplify and solve for x.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2x%2B5=21 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2x%2B5=21\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Subtract 5 from both sides of the equation.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2x%2B5-5=21-5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2x%2B5-5=21-5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2x=16 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2x=16\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "If 2x is 16, then x must be 8. The shorter length is 8 feet. To find the other length, we subtract 21 - 8 = 13. The longer piece is 13 feet. <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "CHECK:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1) Do two pieces add up to 21 feet? 8+13=21...YES!<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2) Is one piece 5 feet longer than the other? 13-8=5...BINGO!<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Hope this helps! Email with any questions.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Ms.Figgy<BR>\n" );
document.write( "math.in.the.vortex@gmail.com\r<BR>\n" );
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