SOLUTION: Translate the problem then solve: A 76 inch length of ribbon is to be cut into three pieces. The longest piece is to be 24 inches longer than the shortest piece, and the third

Question 883653: Translate the problem then solve:
A 76 inch length of ribbon is to be cut into three pieces. The longest piece is to be 24 inches longer than the shortest piece, and the third piece is to be half the length of the longest piece. Find the length of each piece of ribbon.

Answer by JulietG(1812) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Translate? What is that supposed to mean? It is a simple problem asking the lengths of three pieces of ribbon.
A + B + C = 76
A = C + 24
C = A (Unless, of course, the third piece is not the shortest. Poorly written question.)
.
Solving for this, we can immediately see that A is 48 (since C + 24 is 2A). Then the pieces are not in order because they would be 48,4,24.
.
Let's rewrite it with B the shortest piece. Again, math is not about trying to "trick" people. I don't see what good that does :-(.
A + B + C = 76
B = A-24 (the second piece being the shortest)
C = .5A
Substitute the values of B & C from the bottom equations into the first.
A + (A-24) + .5A = 76
2.5A-24=76
Add 24 to each side
2.5A=100
Divide each side by 2.5
A = 40
.
The longest and first piece is 40". The second and shortest piece is 40-24, or 16". The third and middle length piece is 40/2, or 20".
40+16+20 = 76

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