Question

A 45-foot length of wire is to be cut into 2 pieces, so that the longer piece is three feet longer than five times the shorter piece. find the length of each piece.

Answer 1

Hey there !

Let us take the length of the shorter piece as ' x '

Then, the longer piece would be ' 3 + 5x '

Total = 45

x +  5x + 3 = 45

6x + 3 = 45

Subtracting 3 on both sides

6x = 42

dividing by 6 on both sides

x = 7

shorter wire = 7 ft

longer = 45 - 7

=  38 ft

Hope my answer helps!

Answer 2

Long piece:  5x + 3

Short piece: x

Long   + Short = Total

5x + 3 +    x     = 45

6x + 3 = 45

6x = 42

x = 7

Long piece:  5x + 3   = 5(7) + 3   = 35 + 3   = 38

Answer: short = 7 ft, long = 38 ft