I would set an equation up like this, where two pieces, one being 4 times as long as the other, are 290 inches together.
4x + x = 290
Now, simplify and solve:
5x = 290
x = 58
Now that we have x, we know the length of the smaller piece. The other piece, however, is 4x.
4x = 4(58) = 232
The lengths of the pieces are 58 and 232.
