SOLUTION: A 32​-inch piece of steel is cut into three pieces so that the second piece is twice as long as the first​ piece, and the third piece is two inches more than seven times the le

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Question 1159923: A 32​-inch piece of steel is cut into three pieces so that the second piece is twice as long as the first​ piece, and the third piece is two inches more than seven times the length of the first piece. Find the lengths of the pieces.
Found 2 solutions by Boreal, ikleyn:
Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
start with the smallest, the first piece=x.
second piece is 2x
third piece is 7x+2
They add to 32 inches=10x+2
10x=30
x=3 inches first piece
2x=6 inches second piece
7x+2=23 inches third piece

Answer by ikleyn(52765) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

First piece is x inches long;

the second piece is 2x inches long, and

the third piece is (7x+2) inches long.


Then you have this equation for the total

    x + 2x + (7x+2) = 32  inches,


which gives

    10x            = 32-2 = 30

      x                   = 30/10 = 3 inches,


and from this point there is only one obvious step to get the final answer, which I leave to you.

Solved.