The total length of the stage is 76 feet. if the trap doors are centered across the stage, what is the distance from the left side of the stage to the first trap door?
i don't want an answer i wanna know how to do it : )

since the distance from the outside edges is 26 1/2 feet, divide that by 2 to get the distance from the center to the edge ( 26 1/2 / 2 = 13 1/4 feet)

 the stage is 76 feet so divide that by 2 to find the center 76/2 = 38 feet

 now subtract the 13 1/4 from 38

38 - 13 1/4 = 24 3/4 feet from the side of the stage to the edge of the trap door

 a little easier way would be to subtract the 26 1/2 from 76 and then divide by 2

76-26 1/2 = 49 1/2 / 2 = 24 3/4