Question 596089: 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? Answer by math-vortex(648) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 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?
Hi, there--
.
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.
.
Here is a method using algebra:
.
Let's have x be the length of the shorter piece.
The other piece is feet longer, In algebra, we write that as x+5.
.
Now we make an equation. The two lengths add up to 21 feet, so
.
Simplify and solve for x.
.
Subtract 5 from both sides of the equation.
.
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.
.
CHECK:
1) Do two pieces add up to 21 feet? 8+13=21...YES!
2) Is one piece 5 feet longer than the other? 13-8=5...BINGO!
.
Hope this helps! Email with any questions.
.
Ms.Figgy
math.in.the.vortex@gmail.com
