SOLUTION: A wire 180 centimeters long is to be cut into three pieces. The length of one piece is three times the length of the second. The length of the third piece is 12 centimeters shorter

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Question 314776: A wire 180 centimeters long is to be cut into three pieces. The length of one piece is three times the length of the second. The length of the third piece is 12 centimeters shorter than twice the length of the second. Find the length of each piece.
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
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A wire 180 centimeters long is to be cut into three pieces.
a + b + c = 180
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The length of one piece is three times the length of the second.
a = 3b
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The length of the third piece is 12 centimeters shorter than twice the length of the second.
c = 2b-12
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Find the length of each piece.
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Equation:
Substitute for "a" and for "c":
3b + b + 2b-12 = 180
6b = 192
b = 32
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Since a = 3b, a = 96
Since c = 2b-12, c = 64-12 = 52
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Check:
96 + 32 + 52 = 180
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Cheers,
Stan H.