An electrician cuts a 136 ft long piece of cable. one piece is 16 feet less than 3 times the length of the other piece. find the length of each piece.

X + y = 136
x = 3y - 16

3y - 16 + y = 136
4y - 16 = 136
4y = 136 + 16
4y = 152
y = 152/4
y = 38

x = 3y - 16
x = 3(38) - 16
x = 114 - 16
x = 98

the larger piece (x) = 98 ft and the smaller piece (y) = 38 ft