SOLUTION: A 60 ft. pipe is divided into three peices. One peice is twice a long as the shortest peice, and the third peice is 4 feet less than five times the shortest peice. Find the length

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: A 60 ft. pipe is divided into three peices. One peice is twice a long as the shortest peice, and the third peice is 4 feet less than five times the shortest peice. Find the length       Log On


   

Question 125230: A 60 ft. pipe is divided into three peices. One peice is twice a long as the shortest peice, and the third peice is 4 feet less than five times the shortest peice. Find the length of the shortest peice.
Found 2 solutions by checkley71, josmiceli:
Answer by checkley71(8403) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
LET X BE THE SHORTEST PIECE.
2X IS THE NEXT PIECE.
5X-4 IS THE LONGEST PIECE.
X+2X+5X-4=60
8X=60+4
8X=64
X=64/8
X=8 FEET IS THE LENGTH OF THE SHORTEST PIECE.

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = the shortest piece
Another piece is 2x
The 3rd piece is 5x+-+4
x+%2B+2x+%2B+5x+-+4+=+60
8x+-+4+=+60
8x+=+64
x+=+8 ft
check
x+%2B+2x+%2B+5x+-+4+=+60
8+%2B+2%2A8+%2B+5%2A8+-+4+=+60
8+%2B+16+%2B+40+-+4+=+60
60+=+60
OK