Question 657711
the length of hose #{{{1}}} is {{{20ft}}} less than {{{4}}} times #{{{2}}} hose:

let's #{{{1=x}}} and #{{{2=y}}}

{{{x+20ft=4y}} .......1


 the combined length of the two is {{{380ft}}}: 

{{{x+y=380ft}}}........2
___________________________

{{{x+20ft=4y}}} .......1

{{{x+y=380ft}}}........2
___________________________solve this system, subtract 2 from 1

{{{x+20ft-(x+y)=4y-380ft}}} 

{{{x+20ft-x-y=4y-380ft}}} 

{{{20ft-y=4y-380ft}}} 

{{{20ft+380ft=4y+y}}} 

{{{400ft=5y}}} 

{{{400ft/5=y}}} 

{{{y=highlight(80ft)}}} 

now find {{{x}}}

{{{x+y=380ft}}}

{{{x=380ft-y}}}

{{{x=380ft-80ft}}}

{{{x=highlight(300ft)}}}