SOLUTION: I cannot seem to figure out the answer to the problem. (Plumbing) One length of hot water pipe is 3 feet longer than the other.If their combined length is 27 feet , how long is th

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons  -> Linear Equations Lesson -> SOLUTION: I cannot seem to figure out the answer to the problem. (Plumbing) One length of hot water pipe is 3 feet longer than the other.If their combined length is 27 feet , how long is th      Log On


   

Question 202442This question is from textbook Mathematics For Technical trades
: I cannot seem to figure out the answer to the problem.
(Plumbing) One length of hot water pipe is 3 feet longer than the other.If their combined length is 27 feet , how long is the shorter pipe?
Thanks janet This question is from textbook Mathematics For Technical trades

Found 2 solutions by stanbon, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One length of hot water pipe is 3 feet longer than the other.If their combined length is 27 feet , how long is the shorter pipe?
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Let the smaller piece have length "x":
Then the longer picec has length "x+3":
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Equation:
x + (x+3) = 27 ft.
2x + 3 = 27
2x = 24
x = 12 ft (length of the smaller piece)
x+3 = 15 ft (length of the longer piece)
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Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let
x = length of shorter pipe
y = length of longer pipe

Since "One length of hot water pipe is 3 feet longer than the other", this means that y=x%2B3

Also, since "their combined length is 27 feet", we get x%2By=27



x%2By=27 Start with the second equation.


x%2Bx%2B3=27 Plug in y=x%2B3.


2x%2B3=27 Combine like terms on the left side.


2x=27-3 Subtract 3 from both sides.


2x=24 Combine like terms on the right side.


x=%2824%29%2F%282%29 Divide both sides by 2 to isolate x.


x=12 Reduce.


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Since we know that x=12, we can use this to find y.


x%2By=27 Go back to the second equation.


12%2By=27 Plug in x=12.


y=27-12 Subtract 12 from both sides.


y=15 Combine like terms on the right side.


So the solutions are x=12 and y=15.


This means that the shorter pipe is 12 feet long while the longer pipe is 15 feet long.