Question

When two sticks are laid end-to-end they cover a length of 8.32 feet. One stick is 2.93 ft longer than the other. What is the length of the shorter stick in feet?

Answer 1

To solve this problem we will start by defining the length of the shortest stick as 'x'. And the magnitude of the longest stick, according to the statement as

$x+2.93$

Both cover a magnitude of 8.32 ft, therefore

$x +(x+2.97) = 8.32$

Now solving for x we have,

$x + (x + 2.93) = 8.32$

$2x + 2.93 = 8.32$

$2x = 8.32 - 2.93$

$x = \frac{ 8.32 - 2.93}{2}$

$x = 2.695 ft$

Therefore the shorter stick is 2.695ft long.