Jess takes a board that is 50 inches long and cuts it into two pieces, one of which is 16 inches longer than the other. How long is each piece?

The lengths are 17 in and 33 in.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x = the length of the shorter piece

x + x + 16=50

2x = 50-16

2x = 34

x = 17

and

x + 16 = 17 + 16

x + 16 = 33

The lengths are 17 in and 33 in.

Check your answer:

17+33=50

Let x = the length of the shorter piece

x+x+16=50in

2x=50-16

2x=34

x=17

Then

x+16=17+16

x+16=33

Subtract 16 from both sides

The lengths are 17in and 33in