Respuesta :
Let
x--------> the total length of the water main
we know that
the number of 20 ft pipes is x/20
and
the number of 18 ft pipes is x/18
Since they differ by 14 pipes,
we have the equation
x/18 - x/20 = 14
Solve for x (by canceling fractions)
20x - 18x = 14*18*20
x = (14*18*20)/2
x = 2,520 ft
therefore
the answer is
the total length of the water main is 2,520 ft
To solve this problem you must apply the proccedure shown below:
1. You can write the following expression, where the variable [tex] x [/tex] is the total length of the water main:
[tex] \frac{x}{18}-\frac{x}{20}=14 [/tex]
2. Now, solve for [tex] x [/tex], as following:
[tex] \frac{10x-9x}{180}=14\\ x=(14)(180)\\ x=2520 [/tex]
Therefore, the answer is: [tex] 2520 feet [/tex]