GMAT OFFICIAL GUIDE PS

Solution:

To solve this problem, we start by setting up two variables for the lengths of the long and short pieces of rope.

L = the length of the longer piece of rope

S = the length of the shorter piece of rope

We are given that the rope is 40 feet long. Translating this into an equation we have:

L + S = 40

Next we are given that one piece is 18 feet longer than the other. Translating this into an equation we have:

L = 18 + S

We can now substitute 18 + S from the second equation for L in the first equation. We have:

18 + S + S = 40

2S = 22

S = 11

The shorter piece of rope is 11 feet.

Answer: B

You May Also Like...

About The Author

Scott Woodbury-Stewart is the founder & CEO of Target Test Prep. A passionate teacher who is deeply invested in the success of his students, Scott began his career teaching physics, chemistry, math, and biology. Since then, he has spent more than a decade helping students gain entry into the world’s top business schools, logging 10,000+ hours of GMAT, EA, GRE and SAT instruction. Scott also served as lead content developer and curriculum architect for the revolutionary courses Target Test Prep GMAT, Target Test Prep EA, Target Test Prep GRE and Target Test Prep SAT Quant.