Q:

A cable that is 200 ft lo g is cut into two pieces so that one piece is 12 ft longer than the other. How long is each piece?

Accepted Solution

A:
Hi there! 

Answer:
The length of the shortest cable is 94 feet,
The length of the longest cable is 106 feet. 

Explanation
Let the length of the shortest cable be represented by x
The longest cable can be represented by x + 12

Now we can set up (and solve) an equation:
Length shortest cable + Length longest cable = 200
x + (x + 12) = 200
x + x + 12 = 200

Collect terms
2x + 12 = 200

Subtract 12
2x = 188

Divide by 2
x = 188 / 2 = 94

Therefore, the length of the shortest cable is 94 feet,
The length of the longest cable is 94 + 12 = 106 feet. 

~ Hope this helps you ~