A carpenter has 2 pcs. of border. One pc. is 5' longer than the other. Together they measure 105'. What is x, the length of the shorter pc.

Question

A carpenter has 2 pcs. of border. One pc. is 5' longer than the other. Together they measure 105'. What is x, the length of the shorter pc.

Answer 1

Cayden,  label the size of unknown first piece x; and the unknown second piece x + 5'.  Together both pieces are 105'.  Now write an equation and use the "Check" method after solving the equation.  So: x +x + 5'=105';  Combine the variables.  2x + 5'=105'.  Subtract 5' from both sides of the equation.  2x=100'.  Now divide both sides of the equation by 2.  So:  x=50', which is the smaller piece and 50'+5'=55' is the larger piece.  Check:  50' +55'=105'

Answer 2

Hi Cayden, Let the shorter piece of border be represented by x. Then the longer piece of border will be x + 5. Together they measure 105 feet.

 

We can set up an equation to represent this:

 

x (the shorter piece) + (x + 5) (the longer piece) = 105

 

x + x + 5 = 105

 

2x + 5 = 105

 

Subtract 5 from both sides of the equation:

 

2x + 5 - 5 = 105 = 5

 

2x = 100

 

Divide both sides by 2 giving:

 

x = 50

 

The shorter piece of border is 50 feet in length and the longer piece of border is 55 feet in length.

 

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