2007-06-12 08:54:45 · 5 answers · asked by twilliam4055 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Call the two pieces X and Y
X + Y = 12
X + 3 = Y
Substitute equation # 2 into equation # 1.
X + (X + 3) = 12
simply using basic algebra
2X + 3 = 12
2X= 9
X = 4.5'
Y = 7.5'
2007-06-12 13:35:50 · answer #1 · answered by Thomas C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let x = the length of the shorter piece.
So the longer piece is x+3.
12 = x + (x+3)
12 = 2x+3
9 = 2x
4.5 = x.
So the shorter piece is 4.5 feet. The longer piece is three feet longer, or 7.5 feet.
2007-06-12 15:59:48 · answer #2 · answered by Brian L 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
7½ ft and 4½ft.
2007-06-12 22:17:11 · answer #3 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is 7.5 feet and 4.5 feet.
2007-06-12 15:58:34 · answer #4 · answered by varvil29 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
big one and smaller one.
2007-06-12 16:42:43 · answer #5 · answered by Peter Dragon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋