Word Problems

[BTGmoderatorLU]

A steel rod \(50\) meters long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is \(14\) meters longer than the other, what is the length, in meters, of the shorter piece?

A. \(10\)
B. \(18\)
C. \(32\)
D. \(36\)
E. \(40\)

The OA is B

Source: Manhattan GMAT

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

A steel rod \(50\) meters long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is \(14\) meters longer than the other, what is the length, in meters, of the shorter piece?

A. \(10\)
B. \(18\)
C. \(32\)
D. \(36\)
E. \(40\)

The OA is B

Source: Manhattan GMAT

Let x = the length of the shorter piece

One piece is 14 meters longer than the other
So, x + 14 = the length of the longer piece

A steel rod 50 meters long is cut into two pieces.
This means the sum of the lengths of the longer and shorter pieces is 50 meters
We can write: x + (x + 14) = 50
Simplify: 2x + 14 = 50
Solve: x = 18

Answer: B