document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=72635>Question 72635</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321143183/algebrahomeworkh>Developmental Mathematics</A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Board Cutting A 72-in board is cut into two pieces.  One piece is 2 in. longer than the other.  Find the lengths of the pieces.  Solve using the 5 step problem solving strategy.  \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I do not understand how to write the equation.  I don't understand from the examples shown in the book.  Help please </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #51935 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=bucky><B>bucky(2189)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=bucky><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=51935\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I'm not sure what the 5-step problem solving process that the book asks you to use is, but<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if you're having trouble with it, here's another way to look at this problem.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "If you're going to cut the 72 inch board into two pieces, you can call one of the pieces x <BR>\n" );
document.write( "units long.  And since the other piece is 2 inches longer than your first piece, its length<BR>\n" );
document.write( "is x + 2.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "And when you place these two pieces back together, their lengths should add up to be 72 inches.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "You can write this last statement about adding the two pieces together to get a 72 inch piece<BR>\n" );
document.write( "again in equation form as:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x + (x+2) = 72<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "If you add the two terms on the left you get:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x + 2 = 72<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "To solve this begin by subtracting 2 from both sides to get rid of the 2 on the left side.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "This subtraction from both sides results in:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x = 70<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now just divide both sides by 2 to find that:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x = 35<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So one of the boards is 35 inches long and the other board is 2 inches longer so it has<BR>\n" );
document.write( "to be 37 inches long. The sum of the lengths of the two boards is 72 inches and one of the <BR>\n" );
document.write( "boards is 2 inches longer than the other. We have met all the requirements of the problem.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Maybe this will help you to see a logical way to think your way through to a solution.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Sort of like learning to ride a bike.  A lot of practice helps you to get good at it. </SPAN>\n" );
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