A piling supporting a bridge sits so that 1/4 of the piling is in the sand, 150 feet is in the water, and 3/5 of the piling is in the air. What is the total height of the piling?

Answer 1

Let x = total height

(1/4)x + 150 + (3/5)x = x

(5/20)x + 150 + (12/20)x = x

(17/20)x = x - 150

-(3/20)x = -150

x = 150/(3/20)

x = 150 * (20/3)

x = 3,000/3

x = 1,000 feet