A contractor wants to use 32 feet of moulding, cut into 3 pieces, to trim the sides and top of a garage door. The long piece is 1 foot longer than 3 times the length of each shorter piece. Find the length of each piece.

Respuesta :

Let...

s-length of shorter piece

l-length of longer piece

Make equations.

l+2s=32

l=3s

Use substitution to solve system of equations.

l+2s=32

3s+2s=32

5s=32

s=6.4 ft

l=3s

l=3(6.4)

l=19.2 ft

answers: 6.4 and 19.2 ft