Question

A 16-ft. board is to be cut into three pieces. Two of the pieces must be 4 feet shorter than the third piece. How long should each piece be?

Answer 1

1st piece = 4 ft

2nd piece = 4 ft

3rd piece = 8 ft

Explanation:

Let 3rd piece's length be "x"

Each of the two remaining pieces will be 4 feet shorter, so each other piece would be:

x - 4

and

x - 4

Since sum of all 3 pieces is 16, we can write:

1st piece + 2nd piece + 3rd piece = 16

x - 4 + x - 4 + x = 16

3x - 8 = 16

3x = 24

x = 24/3

x = 8

Third piece is 8 feet and each remaining piece is 8 - 4 = 4 feet and 4 feet

1st piece = 4 ft

2nd piece = 4 ft

3rd piece = 8 ft