SOLUTION: When it is assembled, a flute is 29 inches long. The middle piece is 4 inches less than twice as long as the first piece. The last piece is two-thirds as long as the first piece.

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: When it is assembled, a flute is 29 inches long. The middle piece is 4 inches less than twice as long as the first piece. The last piece is two-thirds as long as the first piece.      Log On

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Question 884126: When it is assembled, a flute is 29 inches long. The middle piece is 4 inches less than twice as long as the first piece. The last piece is two-thirds as long as the first piece. Find the length of each piece of the flute.
Answer by JulietG(1812) About Me  (Show Source):
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A + B + C = 29
B = 2A-4
C = 2%2F3A
Substitute the known values of B & C into the first equation.
A + B + C = 29
A + (2A-4) + 2%2F3A = 29
Add
32%2F3A - 4 = 29
Add 4 to each side
32%2F3A = 33
11%2F3A = 33
Let's get rid of that pesky fraction; multiply each side by 3
11A = 99
Divide each side by 11
A = 9
.
Now that we have A, we can find the other lengths.
B is (2*9) - 4, or 18-4, or 14
C is 2%2F3of 9, or 6
Add them all together to prove -- 9 + 14 + 6 = 29
Success!