A wire is cut into two pieces with one piece 7 feet shorter than the other. The wire was 31 feet long before it was cut how long was each piece?

Answer: 19 inches each

Step-by-step explanation: 31+7=38, 38/2=19

Let me re answer that question: x = one piece

x + 7 = other piece {one piece is 7 ft shorter than the other}

x + x + 7 = 31{the two pieces add up to the total 31 ft piece}

2x + 7 = 31 {combined like terms}

2x = 26 {subtracted 7 from each side}

x = 13ft {divided each side by 2}

x + 7 = 20 ft {substituted 13, in for x, into x + 7}

the two peices are 13 ft and 20ft