Fred cuts a 12-inch piece of rope.THEN he cuts a second piece of rope that is 3/2 longer than the first piece. is the second piece shorter or longer than the first piece?
first piece ---- x
2nd piece ---- 12-x
I will assume the second piece is 3/2 inches longer than the first piece
12-x - x = 3/2
12-2x = 3/2
24-4x = 6
4x = 18
x = 4.5
first piece is 4.5
2nd piece = 12-4.5 = 7.5
So, what do you think?