Question

Mike wants to put a 3 1/2 ft. table against a 13 ft. wall. If he centers the table, how far will it be from each end of the wall?
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Please show me how to do it step by step.

Answer 1

First make an equation representing this.

Y= total length
X= the distance from each wall

13 = 2x + 3.5

13 = 2x + 3.5

subtract 3.5 from each side

9.5 = 2x

Divide 2 from each side

X = 4.75 ft

Answer 2

STEPS 1&2:
convert ft. to in. (1 ft. = 12 in.)
table: 3.5 ft. = 42 in.
wall: 13 ft. = 156 in.

STEP 3:
draw a diagram. since the table will be centered, the area on both sides are equal.

STEP 4: write an equation to solve based on diagram, then solve for x.
2x + 42 = 156
2x = 114
x = 57

STEP 5: convert inches back to feet by dividing x by 12
57/12 = 4.75 ft


4 3/4 ft of wall on either side of the table