Question

A board, 73 cm long is cut into three pieces such that the second piece is twice as long as the first and the third is 3 cm longer than the second.

Find the length of the shorter piece.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

the first (shortest) piece is x cm long.

the second piece = 2x.

the third piece = 2x + 3.

and we know all together is 73 cm :

x + 2x + (2x + 3) = 73

x + 2x + 2x + 3 = 73

5x + 3 = 73

5x = 70

x = 14 cm

2x = 28 cm

2x + 3 = 31 cm

14 + 28 + 31 = 73 correct.

the shortest piece is 14 cm long.