16Hit1600
AlgebraEasyShorter piece of a cut ribbon

Algebra practice question

A ribbon 30 centimetres long is cut into two pieces. One piece is 8 centimetres longer than the other. How long, in centimetres, is the shorter piece?

Answer: 11

s + (s + 8) = 30 gives 2s = 22, so s = 11.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 15
15 halves 30, ignoring the 8-centimetre difference.
If you answered 19
19 is the longer piece.
If you answered 22
22 is 2s, before halving.

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