A 24 foot long piece of string was cut into two pieces. One piece is 16 feet shorter than the other.

Find the length of each piece.

Let x be length of one piece (the shorter)

then x + x+16 = 24

==> 2x + 16 = 8

==> 2x=8

==> x = 4

so, the lengths are 4 feet and 20 feet

20 inches and 4 inches

Step-by-step explanation:

let x equal the length of the longer piece.

since the shorter piece is 16 feet shorter, the shorter piece = x-16

both of the pieces equal 24 feet

x + x - 16 = 24

2x = 40

x = 20

the longer piece is 20 ft

20 - 16 = 4

the shorter piece is 4 ft