Question

When two sticks are laid end-to-end they cover a length of 8.32 feet. One stick is 2.93 ft longer than the other. What is the length of the shorter stick in feet?

Answer 1

To solve this problem we will start by defining the length of the shortest stick as 'x'. And the magnitude of the longest stick, according to the statement as

`x+2.93`

Both cover a magnitude of 8.32 ft, therefore

`x +(x+2.97) = 8.32`

Now solving for x we have,

`x + (x + 2.93) = 8.32`

`2x + 2.93 = 8.32`

`2x = 8.32 - 2.93`

`x = ( 8.32 - 2.93)/(2)`

`x = 2.695 ft`

Therefore the shorter stick is 2.695ft long.