document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=723756>Question 723756</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> please help me with this word problem!\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "a 309 inch wire is cut into three pieces. the second piece is 3 inches less than the first. the third piece is twice as long as the first. how long is 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 #443362 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=DrBeeee><B>DrBeeee(684)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-11.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=DrBeeee><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=443362\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let x = the first piece.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Then the second piece is (x-3) and<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the third piece is (2*x). Their sum is 309 or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(1) x + (x-3) + (2x) = 309 or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(2) 4x -3 = 309 or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(3) 4x = 312 or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(4) x = 78<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let's check using (1).<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Is (78 + (78-3) + 2*78 = 309)?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Is (78 + 75 + 156 = 309)?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Is (309 = 309}? Yes<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Answer: The three pieces, in order, are 78, 75, and 156 inches long.<BR>\n" );
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