Well,
We can write everything down based on x.
Longer piece = 2x + 1
Longer piece + Shorter piece = 16
x + 2x + 1 = 16
Collect Like Terms
3x + 1 = 16
Subtract 1 from both sides
3x = 15
Divide both sides by 3
x = 5
Longer piece = 2x + 1
Longer piece = 2(5) + 1
Longer piece = 10 + 1
Longer piece = 11
11 + 5 = 16
Longer piece = 11 ft.
Shorter piece = 5 ft.