A 30-ft board is cut into two parts such that the shorter piece is three more than one-half the longer. HOW LONG IS EACH PIECE?

Question

The solution and the equation/formula

Answer 1

I suppose you mean that the shorter piece is 3 FEET more than 1/2 the longer! (Or did you mean 3"?

 

S = length of shorter piece and L = length of longer piece

 

S= 3 + (1/2)L

 

S + L = total length = 30

 

Substitute:

3 + (1/2)L  + L = 30

(3/2)L = 27

L = 18 and S =12

 

You should check that these answers satisfy the original problem.