Answer:
The smaller piece is 10 feet long, and the longer one is 14 feet long
Explanation:
We can use variables.
A 24 foot board is cut into 2 pieces, the longer one, l, is 6 feet shorter than twice the shorter one, so the equation we can turn this into is: 2m - 6 + m = 24. the 2m - 6 is the longer piece, since it is 6 feet less (-6) than twice the shorter piece (2m). The other "m" is the smaller piece. so we have:
2m - 6 + m = 24
Add 6 to both sides:
2m + m = 30
Simplify:
3m = 30
Divide both sides by 3:
m = 10. So the shorter piece is 10 feet.
If the shorter piece is 10 feet, then the longer one is 24 - 10 = 14 feet
Now we check our answer:
The longer piece is 6 less than twice the shorter piece, so if we add 6 to the longer piece, and then divide it by 2, it should equal the shorter piece's length:
14 + 6 = 20, 20/2 = 10. this is the length of the shorter piece, so it is true
The smaller piece is 10 feet long, and the longer one is 14 feet long