SOLUTION: A 40 inch board is to be cut into 3 pieces so that the second piece is twice as long as the first piece, and the third piece is 5 times as long as the first piece. If x represents

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: A 40 inch board is to be cut into 3 pieces so that the second piece is twice as long as the first piece, and the third piece is 5 times as long as the first piece. If x represents      Log On


   

Question 883062: A 40 inch board is to be cut into 3 pieces so that the second piece is twice as long as the first piece, and the third piece is 5 times as long as the first piece. If x represents the length of the first piece, find the lengths of all three pieces. So I did: 40= x+2x+5x - 40=8x - (40/8=5) x=5? I don't know if that is correct.
Answer by algebrapro18(249) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well if we let the length of the first piece be x then the second piece would be 2x and the third piece would be 5x.


So adding all the pieces together we get:


5x+2x+x = 40


Now simplify and solve for x:


5x+2x+x = 40
8x = 40
x = 5


So we know the shortest side is 5 inches. Plugging that into the other two sides we get side to being 10 inches(2*5) and the third side is 25 inches(5*5). So you had it right!