Sandi bought 6 yards of material. She wants to cut it into 2 pieces so that the difference between the lengths are 1.5 yards. What should be the length of each piece?

Question

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

Let x and y be the two lengths of the two pieces

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

"Sandi bought 6 yards of material" means

x+y = 6

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

"She wants to cut it into 2 pieces so that the difference between the lengths are 1.5 yards"

so

x-y = 1.5

where x is implied to be the longer piece

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

So you have the system

x+y = 6
x-y = 1.5

anonymous · Answer

how do you solve that @jim_thompson5910

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

Add the equations

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

x+y = 6 
x-y = 1.5
-----------
2x = 7.5


2x = 7.5

x = 7.5/2

x = 3.75

So the first piece is 3.75 yards

anonymous · Answer

got iit! THANKS SO MUCH

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

x+y = 6

3.75 + y = 6

y = 6 - 3.75

y = 2.25

and the second piece is 2.25 yards