A 384-m wire is cut into three pieces. The second piece is 3 m longer than the first. The third is four-fifths as long as the first. How long is each piece?

Answer 1

first ------> x
second ----> x+3
third -----> (4/5)x

solve x + x+3 + (4/5)x = 384

I suggest multiplying each term by 5, then it becomes real easy.

Answer 2

F-lenght of first size
S-lenght of second size
T-lenght of third size

S=F+3

T=(4/5)*F

F+S+T=F+F+3+(4/5)F=384

2F+3+(4/5)F=384
2F+(4/5)F=384-3
2F+(4/5)F=381 Multiply with 5
10F+4F=381*5
14F=1905 Divide with 14

F=1905/14

S=F+3=(1905/14)+(42/14)
Becouse (42/14)=3

S=1947/14

T=(4/5)*F=(4/5)*(1905/14)
=(4/5)*[(3*5*127)/14]
Becouse 1905=3*5*127

T=(4*3*127)/(14)=1524/14

T=1524/14

F+S+T=(1905/14)+(1947/14)+(1524/14)
=5376/14=384