Question

a length of a pipe is to b cut into two pieces. the longerpiece is to be 2 feet less than twice the shorter piece. write two equations that model the situation. assume a= 18 ft.

Answer 1

I'm assuming the whole length is 18 ft.

Let x and y be the shorter and longer sides respectively.
x + y = 18 (shorter + longer side equals the whole length of the pipe)
2x = y - 2 (2 times the shorter piece is equal to 2 less than the longer piece)
x = $\frac{y-2}{2}$

You can solve it simultaneously to find x and y.