Question 202442
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.