A piece of lumber which is 55 inches long is cut into two parts such that 2 times the larger part will be 12 more than 5 times the smaller part. How long are each piece?
Let x=the smaller part Then 55-x=the larger part Now we are told the following: 2(55-x)=5x+12 simplify 110-2x=5x+12 add 2x to and subtract 12 from each side 110-2x+2x-12=5x+2x+12-12 collect like terms 98=7x
