A 124-inch length of ribbon is to be cut into three pieces. The longest piece is to be 36 inches lo | MathCelebrity Forum

A 124-inch length of ribbon is to be cut into three pieces. The longest piece is to be 36 inches lo

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A 124-inch length of ribbon is to be cut into three pieces. The longest piece is to be 36 inches longer than the shortest piece, and the third piece is to be half the length of the longest piece. Find the length of each piece of ribbon.

  • Let the longest piece be l.
  • The shortest piece is s = l - 36
  • The third medium piece m = 0.5l

We know s + m + l = 124. Now substitute for s and m
(l - 36) + 0.5l + l = 124

Combine like terms:
2.5l - 36 = 124

Type 2.5l - 36 = 124 into our search engine, we get l = 64

Shortest piece s = 64 - 36 = 28

Medium piece m = 0.5(64) = 32
 
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