A 31-inch piece of steel is cut into three pieces so that the second piece is twice as long as the first piece, and the third piece is three inches more than four times the length of the first piece. Find the lengths of the pieces.

The length of the first piece is 4 inches, that of the second is 8 inches and the third 19 inches.

Step-by-step explanation:

Total length of the steel = 31 inches

Let the length of the first piece = x

let the length of the second piece = y

Let the length of the third piece = z

So,    

  y = 2x

  z = 4x + 3

x + 2x + 4x +3  = total length of the steel = 31

   7x + 3 + 31

    7x = 31 - 3

    7x = 28

    x= 4 inches

Thus; y = 2x = 2 × 4 = 8 inches

         z = 4x +3 = 4×4 +3 =19 inches

∴The length of the first piece is 4 inches, that of the second is 8 inches and the third 19 inches.

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