Respuesta :
Long piece: 5x + 3
Short piece: x
Long + Short = Total
5x + 3 + x = 45
6x + 3 = 45
6x = 42
x = 7
Long piece: 5x + 3 = 5(7) + 3 = 35 + 3 = 38
Answer: short = 7 ft, long = 38 ft
Hey there !
Let us take the length of the shorter piece as ' x '
Then, the longer piece would be ' 3 + 5x '
Total = 45
x + 5x + 3 = 45
6x + 3 = 45
Subtracting 3 on both sides
6x = 42
dividing by 6 on both sides
x = 7
shorter wire = 7 ft
longer = 45 - 7
= 38 ft
Hope my answer helps!