Question

A wire 24 cm long is cut into two pieces. The longer piece is 4 cm longer than the shorter piece.Find the length of the shorter piece of wire

Answer 1

Start by sketching the problem

then, write an equation

`x+(x+4)=24`

solve the equation for x

`\begin{gathered} 2x+4=24 \\ 2x=24-4 \\ 2x=20 \\ x=(20)/(2) \\ x=10 \end{gathered}`

the shorter piece of wire is 10 cm long.