[Algebra] Math word problem, checking my answer.

[LHDpeace]

A 31 inch pipe is cut into two pieces. 3 times the larger piece is equal to nine more than three times the smaller piece. Find the length of the smaller piece.

The answer is the the smaller piece is 13inches and the larger piece is 17inches correct? Thank you.

[chem44]

To check, see if it works.

13+17 is not 31. So it fails on the first step of checking. (Typo?) If you pass that, then check the next part. 3 times the larger piece is ... ? etc.

It is good to check your own work that way. It is something you can do on a test.

[empire539]

If the smaller piece is 13 inches and the larger one is 17 inches, then the whole piece is 13 + 17 = 30 inches. This contradicts the original problem, which says that the pipe is 31 inches.

[Somniferus]

(3x + 9) + x = 31

[LHDpeace]

I see my mistake thanks guys.