Question 1065917
{{{x}}}= length (in feet) of the first piece of shelving
{{{2x}}}= length (in feet) of the second piece of shelving
{{{x+2}}}= length (in feet) of the third piece of shelving
That should add the the {{{14}}} feet length of shelving the carpenter cut,
so {{{x+2x+x+2=14}}} is the equation to start with.
Of course, it can be "simplified" by "collecting like terms" to
{{{4x+2=14}}} .
Solving that, you get
{{{4x+2=14}}}
{{{4x=14-2}}}
{{{4x=12}}}
{{{x=12/4}}}
{{{highlight(x=3)}}}
and then {{{2x=2*3.=6}}}
and {{{x+2=3+2=5}}} .
So, the first, second and third pieces of shelving are
3 feet long, 6 feet long, and 5 feet long respectively.