Answer:
Length: 80.5 inches; width: 37.5 inches
Explanation:
Let L represent the length of the longer piece, and
S represent the length of the shorter piece.
L + S = 118 inches.
(2S + 5.5 inches) + S = 118 inches
Combining like terms, we get 3S + 5.5 inches = 118 inches, or (after subtracting 5.5 inches from both sides)
3S = 112.5
Dividing both sides by 3 gives us a formula for S:
S = 112.5 inches/3 = 37.5 inches
The shorter piece has length 37.5 inches, and the longer piece 80.5 inches.
Note that 2(37.5 inches) + 5.5 inches = 80.5 inches. So these results check out well.