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A rope 40 feet long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is 18 feet longer than the other, what is the length, in feet,

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by BTGModeratorVI » Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:02 am

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B

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E

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A rope 40 feet long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is 18 feet longer than the other, what is the length, in feet, of the shorter piece?

(A) 9
(B) 11
(C) 18
(D) 22
(E) 29

Answer: B
Source: Official guide
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Re: A rope 40 feet long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is 18 feet longer than the other, what is the length, in fe

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:23 am
BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:02 am
 A rope 40 feet long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is 18 feet longer than the other, what is the length, in feet, of the shorter piece?

(A) 9
(B) 11
(C) 18
(D) 22
(E) 29

Answer: B
Source: Official guide
APPROACH #1: Algebra
Let x = the length of the shorter piece
So, x + 18 = the length of the longer piece

Since the lengths of the two pieces must add to 40 feet, we can write: x + (x + 18) = 40
Simplify: 2x + 18 = 40
Subtract 18 from both sides: : 2x = 22
Solve: x = 11

Answer: B
------------------------------------------

APPROACH #2: Test the answer choices

Start with the middle answer choice C

C) 18
If the shorter piece is 18 feet long, then the longer piece is 36 feet long
Sum of lengths = 18 + 36 = 54
NO GOOD. We want a sum of 40 feet (as per the question)
So, we can ELIMINATE C.
Also, since we need the two pieces to be SHORTER, we can also ELIMINATE D and E

Now try answer choice B
B) 11
If the shorter piece is 11 feet long, then the longer piece is 29 feet long
Sum of lengths = 11 + 29 = 40
PERFECT!!!

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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Re: A rope 40 feet long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is 18 feet longer than the other, what is the length, in fe

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Mon Sep 14, 2020 3:50 am
BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:02 am
 A rope 40 feet long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is 18 feet longer than the other, what is the length, in feet, of the shorter piece?

(A) 9
(B) 11
(C) 18
(D) 22
(E) 29

Answer: B
Source: Official guide
Solution:

We can let L = the length of the longer piece of rope and S = the length of the shorter piece of rope.

We are given that the rope is 40 feet long. Translating this into an equation, we have:

L + S = 40

Next, we are given that one piece is 18 feet longer than the other. Translating this into an equation, we have:

L = 18 + S

We can now substitute 18 + S from the second equation for L in the first equation. We have:

18 + S + S = 40

2S = 22

S = 11

The shorter piece of rope is 11 feet.

Answer: B

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