word problem

Question

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

If the shorter piece has a length of x, then the longer piece has a length of (2x + 5)

 

x + (2x + 5) = 17

3x + 5 = 17

3x = 12

x = 4

 

The shorter piece is 4 ft and the longer piece is 2 * 4 + 5 = 8 + 5 = 13 ft