A 24-inch rope is to be cut into two pieces so that one piece is 8 inches longer than twice the other. How long is each piece, if a = 2, b = 8, and l = 24?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Refer to the Mathematica 9 attachment.

anonymous · Answer

which one is the smaller piece and which is the longer? is the 24 the longer and the 16/3 the shortest?

anonymous · Answer

not 24 i meant 56/3

anonymous · Answer

"A 24-inch rope is to be cut into two pieces"  says that the rope length is 24 inches before the rope is cut into two pieces.  Each rope piece has to be less than 24 inches in length.

anonymous · Answer

The rope length answers do not look like classroom solutions in that the answers are not 
integers.

anonymous · Answer

ok

anonymous · Answer

Your welcome.

anonymous · Answer

PS 
56/3      is larger than 16/3
18.6667 is larger than 5.3333

anonymous · Answer

okay, thanks again you've been a lifesaver this evening!

anonymous · Answer

Same to you and thank you for the medal.