A piece of lumber is originally 96 inches long. It is cut into 2 pieces that differ in length by 18 inches. Find the lengths of the two cut pieces of lumber.

Answer 1

x + (x + 18) = 96

Can you solve for x and answer?

Answer 2

first, assign variables......let's call the two lengths "a" and "b". Because there ar two unknowns, we will need 2 equations..

We are told that the total for the 2 pieces is 96 inches, so we can write:

a + b = 96

We are also given the difference:

a - b = 18

We now have our2 equations. The pair can be solve by simply adding them:

I: a + b = 96

II: a - b = 18

I+II: 2a = 114

divide both sides by 2 to get:

a = 57

finally, use either equation I or II to find b

b = 39