Question 515253
Shorter piece = x feet
Longer piece = 12-x feet
Longer piece=3 times (shorter piece) + 8 
12-x=3x+8
-x-3x-8-12
-4x=-4
-4x/-4=-4/-4
x=1

Shorter piece = x = 1 foot
Longer piece = 12-x = 12-1= 11 feet