Question 542471: Please help me answer this question: A wire is 224cm long, it has been cut in 3 pieces, the 1st piece is twice as long as the 2nd piece, the 3rd piece is 1/2 as long as the 2nd piece. How long is the second piece. I need the equation for this word problem and am unable to attain it. Thank you for your help.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! A wire is 224cm long, it has been cut in 3 pieces, the 1st piece is twice as long as the 2nd piece, the 3rd piece is 1/2 as long as the 2nd piece.
How long is the second piece.
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Let the three pieces be a, b, c
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Write an equation for each statement:
:
"A wire is 224cm long, it has been cut in 3 pieces,"
a + b + c = 224
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"the 1st piece is twice as long as the 2nd piece,"
a = 2b
:
"the 3rd piece is 1/2 as long as the 2nd piece. "
c = .5b
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In the 1st equation, replace a with 2b, replace c with .5b
2b + b + .5b = 224
3.5b = 224
b = 
b = 64 cm is the 2nd piece
:
Use the 2nd and 3rd equations to find a and c, check that your solutions add up to 224
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