SOLUTION: a rocket is divided into 3 sections. the top is 1/8 the length of the bottom. The middle section is 1/2 the length of the bottom. the total length is 208 feet. Find the length of t

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: a rocket is divided into 3 sections. the top is 1/8 the length of the bottom. The middle section is 1/2 the length of the bottom. the total length is 208 feet. Find the length of t      Log On


   

Question 547277: a rocket is divided into 3 sections. the top is 1/8 the length of the bottom. The middle section is 1/2 the length of the bottom. the total length is 208 feet. Find the length of the top section.
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
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A rocket is divided into 3 sections. the top is 1/8 the length of the bottom. The middle section is 1/2 the length of the bottom. the total length is 208 feet. Find the length of the top section.
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Let the length of the bottom be "x:
top = (1/8)x
middle = (1/2)x
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Equation:
x + (1/8)x + (1/2)x) = 208
Multiply thru by 16 to get:
16x + 2x + 8x = 16*208
26x + 16*208
13x = 16*104
x = 128 ft (bottom)
(1/8)x = (1/8)128 = 16 ft (top)
(1/2)x = (1/2)128 = 64 ft (middle)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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