Question

Using two variables - A carpenter wants to cut a 24-foot board into two pieces so that one piece is 5 times as long as the other. How long should each piece be?

Answer 1

Represent the unknowns:
Let x = one piece
Since according to the problem, the other piece is 5 times as long as the first one,
Let 5x = other piece

Since their total length must be 24 ft,
x + 5x = 24
6x = 24
x = 24/6

x = 4 ft.
5x = 20 ft.