Question

a 100- foot cable is cut into two pieces.the first piece is 18 ft longer than the second. how long is each piece

Answer 1

Total length (given) ie. a+b = 100

a = b + 18


We can rewrite this b = a -18

Now solve it the normal way.

substitute for b in the first equation

a + b = 100

a + a - 18 = 100

2a -18 = 100

2a = 100 + 18

2a = 118

a = 59

To get b:

go to equation and apply value of a in b = a -18


b = 59- 18

ie. b = 41

to verify:

a + b should be = 100

a= 59 b = 41

59 + 41 = 100 !

Bingo!

Done! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The answer is 59 ft, 41 ft. X would equal 59 while y would equal 41