document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=242822>Question 242822</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Alexander an artist, welded 3 pieces of bronze together to create a project. The second piece is one-half of the first piece. The third piece is 4 less that the first piece. The total length of the pieces is 86 inches. How long was each piece? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #177807 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=oberobic><B>oberobic(2304)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=oberobic><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=177807\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> F = length of first piece<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S = length of second piece = .5F<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T = length of third piece = F-4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "F+S+T=86<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Substituting what we know...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "F + .5F + (F-4) = 86<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Combining...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2.5F - 4 = 86<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Adding 4 to both sides...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2.5F = 90<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Dividing both sides by 2.5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "F = 36<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Substituting back into our formulas...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S = .5F = .5(36) = 18<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T = F - 4 = 36 - 4 = 32<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Check the sum...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "36 + 18 + 32 (equals?) 86?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Yes it does. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );