HELP PLEASE! Robert needs to cut four shelves from a board that is 2.5 meters long. The second shelf is 18 centimeters longer than twice the length of the first shelf. The third shelf is 12 centimeters shorter than the first shelf. The remaining shelf is 4 centimeters longer than the first shelf. If Robert must use the entire 2.5 meter board for the shelves, what is the length of the second shelf?



Answer :

a; b; c; d = first; second; third; fourth shelf
a + b + c + d = 250 cm
b = 2a + 18
c = a - 12
d = a + 4
in terms of a, plug all equations into original
a + (2a + 18) + (a - 12) + (a +4) = 250
5a + 10 = 250
5a = 240
a = 48
b = 2(48) + 18
b = 96 + 18
b = 114 cm/1.14 m