SOLUTION: A 36 foot section of a log is cut into three pieces. The second piece is twice the length of the first and the third piece is equal to the length of the first two pieces. How long

Question 726692: A 36 foot section of a log is cut into three pieces. The second piece is twice the length of the first and the third piece is equal to the length of the first two pieces. How long (in feet) is the longest section?
Found 2 solutions by tanjo3, mbmodak:
Answer by tanjo3(60) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x be the length of the shortest log.
Then 2x is the length of the second piece.
Then (x+2x) is the length of the third and longest piece.

Thus, the longest piece is (6+2(6)) = 18 ft.
Answer by mbmodak(32) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let first piece in length=x ft ---(1)
second piece is twice the length of first piece
second piece=2*x ft ---(2)
third piece is equal to length of L(leng of 1st) + L(length of 2 nd)
third piece=x+2x=3x ---(3)
Total length of 3 pieces is 36 ft
Adding(1)+(2)+(3)
Total length=x+2x+3x
x+2x+3x=36
6x=36
x=36/6=6
1st piece=6f 2nd piece=6*2=12 ft third piece=3*6=18 (total=6+12+18=36)
Longest piece=18
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