Question

an electrician cuts a 136-ft piece of cable. one piece is 16 feet less than 3 times the length of the other piece. Find the length of each piece.

Answer 1

1st piece = x

2nd piece = 3x-16

x +3x-16 = 136

4x-16 = 136

4x = 152

x = 152/4 = 38

1st piece = 38 feet

2nd piece = 136 -38 = 98 feet