Answer:
The length of the first piece = 41 cm
Explanation:
Let the length of the first piece = a
Let the length of the second piece = b
Let the length of the third piece = c
we are given the following:
b = 3a . . . . . (1) (The 2nd piece is 3 times as long as the 1st piece)
c = 6 + a . . . . (2) (the 3rd piece is 6 centimeters longer than the 1st piece)
a + b + c = 211 . . . . . (3) ( the yarn has a total length of 211 centimeters)
Next, let us eliminate two variables, and this can easily be done by substituting the values of b and c in equations 1 and 2 into equation 3. this is done as follows:
a + b + c = 211
a + (3a) + (6 + a) = 211 ( remember that b = 3a; c = 6 + a)
a + 3a + 6 + a = 211
5a + 6 = 211
5a = 211 - 6 = 205
5a = 205
∴ a = 205 ÷ 5 = 41 cm
a = 41 cm
Therefore the length of the first piece (a) = 41 cm
now finding b and c
substituting a into equation 1 and 2
b = 3a
b = 3 × 41 = 123
∴ b = 123 cm
c = 6 + a
c = 6 + 41 = 47
∴ c = 47 cm