Question 162590
a board is cut into two pieces. one piece is to be three times as long as the
 other. if the board is 4.2m long, what will the length of the longer piece be?
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Let's do it this way:
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Let x = the smaller piece
It said,"one piece is to be three times as long as the other."
therefore: 
3x = the long piece
:
small piece + longer piece = 4.2 meters
x + 3x = 4.2
:
4x = 4.2
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Divide both sides by 4
x = {{{4.2/4}}}
x = 1.05 m is the smaller piece
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They ask for the length of the longer piece:
3 * 1.05 = 3.15 m is the longer piece
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Check to see if this is true, add the two pieces
1.05 + 3.15 = 4.2
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