SOLUTION: Please help me solve this problem:: A piece of ribbon is 60 centimeters long and cut into three different pieces. One piece is 2 centimeters longer than the shortest piece and 2

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Question 156223: Please help me solve this problem::
A piece of ribbon is 60 centimeters long and cut into three different pieces. One piece is 2 centimeters longer than the shortest piece and 2 centimeters shorter than the longest piece. Whats the length of each piece?
Answer by jojo14344(1513) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x= shortest piece of cut= 1st piece
x%2B2%29= 2 centimeters longer than the shortest = 2nd piece
y = longest piece = 3rd piece
Take note: 2nd piece is also 2 centimeters shorter than the longest piece, y-2 = 2nd piece
We can equate the two 2nd piece since they are the same:
%28x%2B2%29=%28y-2%29
x=y-2-2=y-4 -------------------------------> eqn 1
Now, adding the 1st, 2nd & 3rd piece equals 60 cm:
x%2Bx%2B2%2By=60 --------------------------------> eqn 2
2x%2By=60-2
2x%2By=58, substitute he value of x in eqn 1:
2%28y-4%29%2By=58
2y-8%2By=58
3y=58%2B8 --------------> 3y=66
cross%283%29y%2Fcross%283%29=cross%2866%2922%2Fcross%283%29
y=22cm ----------------------------> 3rd piece, longest cut
go back eqn 1: x=y-4=22-4=18cm -----> 1st piece, shortest cut
x%2B2=18%2B2=20cm ----------------------> 2nd piece, 2cm longer than the shortest
In doubt? go back eqn 2,
18%2B18%2B2%2B22=60
60cm=60cm , total ribbon
Thank you,
Jojo