SOLUTION: A 24 inch string is cut into two pieces, one piece was 3 1/2 inches longer than the other. What was the length of the shorter piece?

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Question 775532: A 24 inch string is cut into two pieces, one piece was 3 1/2 inches longer than the other. What was the length of the shorter piece?
Answer by algebrahouse.com(1659) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x = one piece
x + 3.5 = the other piece {one piece is 3.5 in. longer than the other}

x + x + 3.5 = 24 {together they add up to 24}
2x + 3.5 = 24 {combined like terms}
2x = 20.5 {subtracted 3.5 from each side}
x = 10.25 inches {divided each side by 2}

the shorter piece was 10.25 inches

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