Please help me solve this math problem

Answer:
The longest section = 5 ft long and the shortest is 4 ft.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the length of the longer section be y and the shorter be x. Then:
x + y = 9 ............(1)
3y = 3x + 3
Dividing the above by 3
y = x + 1
x - y = -1 ............(2)
Adding equations (1) and (2):-
2x = 8
x = 4.
Therefore:
4 - y = -1
y = 4 + 1
y = 5.