After the first cut, the board was 143 - 25 = <<143-25=118>>118 cm

The other boards were 118 + 7 = <<118+7=125>>125 cm before they got cut.

# Answer

125
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Tom is cutting a piece of wood to make a shelf. He cut the wood to 143 cm, but it is too long to fit in the bookshelf he is making. He decides to cut 25 cm off the board. But it turned out longer than the other boards. He had to cut off 7 cm from each to make them the same size. How long were the boards before he cut the 7 cm off?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
125
Tom is cutting a piece of wood to make a shelf. He cut the wood to 143 cm, but it is too long to fit in the bookshelf he is making. He decides to cut 25 cm off the board. But it turned out longer than the other boards. He had to cut off 7 cm from each to make them the same size. How long were the boards before he cut the 7 cm off?
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