<PRE><B>Question 1021617</B>
S=shorter piece; L=longer piece
.
S=45-L
L=45-S
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3L-7=5S
(3L-7)/5=S
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L=45-S
L=45-((3L-7)/5)
5L=225-(3L-7)
5L=225-3L+7
8L=232
L=29
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S=45-L=45-29=16
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ANSWER: The long piece is 29 feet and the short piece is 16 feet.
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CHECK:
3L-7=5S
3(29)-7=5(16)
87-7=80
80=80
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