SOLUTION: Cut a 12-ft beam into two pieces so that one piece is 18 in. longer than the other. Find the length of each piece.

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Cut a 12-ft beam into two pieces so that one piece is 18 in. longer than the other. Find the length of each piece.      Log On


   

Question 1042189: Cut a 12-ft beam into two pieces so that one piece is 18 in. longer than the other. Find the length of each piece.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Convert all dimensions to inches
[ ft ] x [ in/ft ] = [ in ]
+12%2A12+=+144+ in
-------------------
Let +x+ = the length in inches of the shorter piece
+x+%2B+18+ = the length of the longer piece in inches
+x+%2B+x+%2B+18+=+144+
+2x+=+144+-+18+
+2x+=+126+
+x+=+63+
and
+x+%2B+18+=+81+
----------------
The pieces are 63 inches and 81 inches long
check:
+63+%2B+81+=+144+
+144+=+144+
OK