Let x represent the length of the kite
Let t repesent the length of the tail of the kite
We were told that the tail of the kite is 1.5 feet plus twice the length of the kite. This means that
t = 1.5 + 2x
Together, the length of the kite and the tail are 15.5 feet long. It means that
x + t = 15.5
Substituting t = 1.5 + 2x into x + t = 15.5, it becomes
x + 1.5 + 2x = 15.5
x + 2x = 15.5 - 1.5
3x = 14
x = 14/3
x = 4 2/3
Substituting x = 14/3 into t = 1.5 + 2x, it becomes
t = 1.5 + 2 * 14/3
t = 1.5 + 28/3
t = 3/2 + 28/3
t = 65/6
t = 10 5/6
Length of kite is 4 2/3 feet
Length of tail is 10 5/6 feet