SOLUTION: A fabric store worker has a 57 yard bolt of cloth which is to be cut into three lengths. The length of the second piece is 5 yards shorter than twice the length of the first. The l

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Question 236003: A fabric store worker has a 57 yard bolt of cloth which is to be cut into three lengths. The length of the second piece is 5 yards shorter than twice the length of the first. The length of the third piece is 2 yards longer than twice the length of the first. Find the length of each poece.
Answer by JenniferTutors(83) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In this equation you can determine:
a%2Bb%2Bc=57
a= first piece
b= second piece
c= third piece
b=2a-5
Second piece is 5 yards shorter than twice the first.
You can represent "is" as an equal sign here.
c=2a%2B2
Third piece is 2 yards shorter than twice the first.
Same occurrence.
Now, you can place in the variables into the first equation, a+b+c=57

a%2B2a-5%2B2a%2B2=57
Combine like terms:
5a-3=57
Next, you want 5a by itself, so add -3 to the both sides of the equation:
5a=60
Now, you can solve for a:
%285a%2F5%29=60%2F5
a=12
Next, place the value of 'a' into the other equations:
b=2a-5
b=2%2812%29-5
b=24-5
b=19
Next:
c=2a%2B2
c=2%2812%29%2B2
c=24%2B2
c=26
Answers: a=12, b=19, c=26