Question

An electrician cuts a 136 ft long piece of cable. One piece is 16 feet less than 3 times the length of the other piece. Find the length of each piece.

Answer 1

x + y = 136
x = 3y - 16

3y - 16 + y = 136
4y - 16 = 136
4y = 136 + 16
4y = 152
y = 152/4
y = 38

x = 3y - 16
x = 3(38) - 16
x = 114 - 16
x = 98

the larger piece (x) = 98 ft and the smaller piece (y) = 38 ft

Answer 2

Length of the cable = 136 ft

Let the length of one piece be = x

Let the length of other piece be = y

The two equations formed are :

$x+y=136$    .... (1)

$y=3x-16$     ..... (2)

Solving the equation (1) by putting y=3x-16

$x+3x-16=136$

$4x=136+16$

$4x=152$

x=38 feet

$y=3x-16$

$y=3(38)-16$

$y=114-16$

y=98 feet feet

Hence, lengths of both the pieces are 38 feet and 98 feet.