SOLUTION: A 16-ft board is to be cut into three pieces. Two of the pieces must be 4 inches shorter than the third piece. How long should each piece be?

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Question 665819: A 16-ft board is to be cut into three pieces. Two of the pieces must be 4 inches shorter than the third piece. How long should each piece be?
Answer by fcabanski(1391) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Call the longer piece x and the shorter pieces x-4 because they are 4 inches shorter than the long piece. The three lengths added is 16*12 = 192 inches (there are 12 inches in a foot and 16 feet).


x+ x-4 + x-4 = 192


3x-8 = 192


3x = 200
x = 66.67 inches.


The long piece is 66.67 inches long (about 5.56 feet long).


The short pieces are 62.67 inches long (about 5.22 feet long.)

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