Word Problems

[ams_1984]

I need help setting up the equation from the word problem. The equation is . . .
A 60-foot pipe is divided into 3 pieces. One piece is twice as long as the shortest piece and the 3rd piece is 4 ft less than 5 times the shortest piece. Find the length of the shortest piece.

I don't want to know the answer I just need help setting up the equation so if who ever does this if you could please give me the equation and then tell me how you know that the equation.

Thanks

 

[Mrspi]

I need help setting up the equation from the word problem. The equation is . . .
A 60-foot pipe is divided into 3 pieces. One piece is twice as long as the shortest piece and the 3rd piece is 4 ft less than 5 times the shortest piece. Find the length of the shortest piece.

I don't want to know the answer I just need help setting up the equation so if who ever does this if you could please give me the equation and then tell me how you know that the equation.

Thanks

Ok...you know that the 60-foot pipe is divided into three pieces.

Let x = shortest piece

The problem says "one piece is twice as long as the shortest piece"....so let's call that one 2x

And, it says "the third piece is 4 ft less than 5 times the shortest piece." If the shortest piece is x, then 5 times the shortest piece would be 5x, right? And 4 less than that would be 5x - 4.

So..

shortest piece = x
next piece = 2x
third piece = 5x - 4

And you know this:

shortest piece + next piece + third piece = total length of pipe

x + 2x + 5x - 4 = 60

There you go! Solve that for x, and once you know the value of x, you can find the length of each piece of pipe.

Edited to correct typographical error....Thanks, Mark!

 

[meckhart0702]

I need help setting up the following problem. ..

The present ages in years of four cousins are multiples of 3. Five years ago the sum of their ages was 46. Find their ages now.

Thanks

 

[Denis]

Hint: 3a + 3b + 3c + 3d - 20 = 46

No unique solution. Did you type the problem in full?