Question

a 3 1/2 foot piece of rope is cut into two pieces. one of these pieces is 8 inches shorter than the other. how long are the pieces?

Answer 1

Let x = the shorter piece. Solve for x

x + x + 8 = 42

2x = 42 - 8
2x = 34
x = ?

Answer 2

A rope 15m long was cut into pieces 1/2m long to teach tying of knots to scouts. how many pieces were cut ?