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
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A rope 40 feet long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is
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BTGmoderatorDC
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Jay@ManhattanReview
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Say the shorter piece is x feet long; thus, the longer piece is (x + 18) feet longBTGmoderatorDC wrote: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
=> x + (x + 18) = 40
=> x = 11 feet
The correct answer: B
Hope this helps!
-Jay
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Scott@TargetTestPrep
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We can let L = the length of the longer piece of rope and S = the length of the shorter piece of rope.BTGmoderatorDC wrote: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
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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Brent@GMATPrepNow
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We can also test the answer choicesBTGmoderatorDC wrote: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
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
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