SOLUTION: I am having issues with this word problem. NEED HELP! A log 78 feet long is to be cut into three pieces of varying lengths. The longest piece is to be four times the length of t

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Question 832762: I am having issues with this word problem. NEED HELP!
A log 78 feet long is to be cut into three pieces of varying lengths. The longest piece is to be four times the length of the shortest piece, and the middle-sized piece is to be 6 feet less than twice the length of the shortest piece. How long is the longest piece?
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A log 78 feet long is to be cut into three pieces of varying lengths. The longest piece is to be four times the length of the shortest piece, and the middle-sized piece is to be 6 feet less than twice the length of the shortest piece. How long is the longest piece?
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Equations:
L + M + S = 78 ft.
L = 4S
M = 2S-6
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Substitute for "L" and for "M" and solve for "S":
4S + 2S-6 + S = 78
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7S = 84
S = 12 ft (smallest)
M = 2S-6 = 18 ft (middle)
L = 4S = 48 ft (largest)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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