a 17 foot piece of string is cut into two pieces so that the longer piece is 5 feet longer than twice the shorter piece. If the shorter piece is x feet long, find the lengths of both pieces.

Answer 1

x + (2x+5) = 17

Calculate for x, then 2x+5.

Answer 2

3x=17-5
3x=12
x=12/3
x=4

FOR 2x+5
=2(4)+5
=8+5
=13