SOLUTION: I really need help with this problem please. A ribbon 113 inches long is cut into three pieces. The middle-sized piece is 6 inches shorter than three times the shortest piece. T

Question 836297: I really need help with this problem please.
A ribbon 113 inches long is cut into three pieces. The middle-sized piece is 6 inches shorter than three times the shortest piece. The longest piece is 3 times as long as the shortest piece. How long is the shortest piece?
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A ribbon 113 inches long is cut into three pieces. The middle-sized piece is 6 inches shorter than three times the shortest piece. The longest piece is 3 times as long as the shortest piece. How long is the shortest piece?
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Equations::
s + m + L = 113
m = 3s-6
L = 3s
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Substitute for m and for L and solve for "s"::
s + (3s-6) + 3s = 113
7s - 6 = 113
7s = 119
s = 17 inches (length of the shortest piece)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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