Question 389109
x+(x+6.5)=18

Remove the parentheses around the expression x+6.5.
x+x+6.5=18

Since x and x are like terms, add x to x to get 2x.
2x+6.5=18

Since 6.5 does not contain the variable to solve for, move it to the right-hand side of the equation by subtracting 6.5 from both sides.
2x=-6.5+18

Add 18 to -6.5 to get 11.5.
2x=11.5

Divide each term in the equation by 2.
(2x)/(2)=(11.5)/(2)

Simplify the left-hand side of the equation by canceling the common factors.
x=(11.5)/(2)

Divide 11.5 by 2 to get 5.75.
x=5.75(shorter piece)

5.75+6.5=12.25 (longer piece)