Question #aab2d

1 Answer
Sep 11, 2016

#7+21+39 = 67 " inches"#

Explanation:

All the lengths are described in terms of the first piece, so let's define that as the variable.

Let the length of the first piece be #x#

1st piece: #x#
2nd piece: #3x#
3rd piece: #5x +4#

All 3 pieces together make 67 inches, write an equation to show this

#x+3x+5x+4 = 67#

#9x +4 = 67#

#9x +4 - 4 = 67 - 4#

#9x = 63#

#x = 7#

Go back to the original definitions of the lengths:

1st piece: #x = 7 " inches"#
2nd piece: #3x = 3xx 7 = 21 " inches"#
3rd piece: #5x +4 = 5xx7+4 = 39 "inches"#

Check: #7+21+39 = 67 " inches"#