Question

A 37-foot length of wire is to be cut into 2 pieces, so that the longer piece is seven feet longer than two times the shorter piece. Find the length of each piece.

Answer 1

Answer:

x = 10; y = 27

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x and y be the 2 pieces. (Let y be the longer piece)

Given: x + y = 37

Given: y = 2x + 7 (seven feet longer than 2 times the shorter)

We can substitute (2x + 7) in for y in our first equation.

x + (2x + 7) = 37

combine like terms

3x + 7 = 37

solve for x

3x = 30

x = 10

plug 10 back in for x in our first equation and solve for y.

x + y = 37

10 + y = 37

y = 27