First, lets write an equation that fits the data given. The string is 112 inches long. When the two pieces are cut, the first piece will be three times as long as the second piece. If we use the variable, x, to represent the second piece, we can create the following equation...
112=3x+x
Now lets solve for x.
112=4x divide both sides by 4 28 inches=x
Now we know that the second piece is 28inches long. Since the first piece is three times as long, simply multiply 28*3 and we'll know the length of the first piece.
