Answer:
The shorter piece is 13.5 inches.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the shorter piece be x inches long. That means the longer piece will be x+9 inches long.
Put the two pieces together and the total is 36 inches:
x + x+9 = 36
Combine like terms.
2x + 9 = 36
Subtract 9 from both sides.
2x = 27
Divide by 2.
x = 13.5
The shorter piece is 13.5 inches. The longer piece is 22.5 inches.
13.5 + 22.5 = 36
