Express using algebra.

A stick l feet long is broken into two parts, one of which is twice as long as the other. How long is the shorter piece?

1/3 of the original

Step-by-step explanation:

one piece is TWO times longer than the other one. if you break it in half you have three pieces that are all the same size

The shorter piece is 4 in. long.

Step-by-step explanation:

The length of the shorter piece can be represented using x.

Thus, you can say that the longer piece is 2x (since it is twice as long as the other piece).

Since, the length of both the pieces will, for sure, add up to 1 ft, then we can say:

x + 2x = 1 ft

Which will simplify into:

3x = 1 ft (Divide both sides by 3)

x = 4 in. (Since 1 ft = 12 in., we can express it in different units unless you want a non-terminating decimal)

x = 4 in. is the length of the shorter piece since we established that x is the length of the shorter piece earlier on.