SOLUTION: A piece of rope is 497 feet long. It is cut into 3 pieces. The first three times as long as the second. The third is 23 ft less than the second. How long are the three pieces

Algebra ->  Functions -> SOLUTION: A piece of rope is 497 feet long. It is cut into 3 pieces. The first three times as long as the second. The third is 23 ft less than the second. How long are the three pieces      Log On


   

Question 912271: A piece of rope is 497 feet long. It is cut into 3 pieces. The first three times as long as the second. The third is 23 ft less than the second. How long are the three pieces?
Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A piece of rope is 497 feet long. It is cut into 3 pieces. The first three times as long as the second. The third is 23 ft less than the second. How long are the three pieces?
word problems are easy if you take them apart
A piece of rope is 497 feet long.

It is cut into 3 pieces.
let second be x
The first three times as long as the second. (3x)
The third is 23 ft less than the second. (x-23)
They all add up to 497
x+3x+x-23=497
5x=497+23
5x=520
/5
x=104.............second
First is 3x = 3* 104 = 312
remaining is the third piece




How long are the three pieces?