Question

A piece of lumber which is 55 inches long is cut into two parts such that 2 times the larger part will be 12 more than 5 times the smaller part. How long are each piece?

Answer 1

Explanation:

If 98x=7

x=14

the smaller part is 14 so the larger part would be 41

Answer 2

Let x=the smaller part
Then 55-x=the larger part
Now we are told the following:
2(55-x)=5x+12 simplify
110-2x=5x+12 add 2x to and subtract 12 from each side
110-2x+2x-12=5x+2x+12-12 collect like terms
98=7x