An 85 feet long pipe is cut into two pieces. The longer piece is 15 less than three times the shorter piece. Find the lengths of the two pieces.
Can someone help with this by step.

Question

An 85 feet long pipe is cut into two pieces. The longer piece is 15 less than three times the shorter piece. Find the lengths of the two pieces. 
Can someone help with this by step.

hoblos · Answer

let L be length of the longer piece and S be length of shorter piece
The longer piece    is     15 less than three times the shorter piece
      L                      =       3s - 15
and of course  L+S = total length = 85

so you have the following system
l = 3s - 15
l + s = 85

can you solve it ?