A 40-inch board is to be cut into three pieces so that the second piece is 3 times as long as the first piece and the third piece is 4 times as long as the first piece. If x represents the length of the first pie pieces.
What is the length of the first piece?

a and c

for infinitely many solutions we require both left and right sides to be equal

distribute and simplify

a

14 - 8x = 20 - 8x - 6 = 14 - 8x ← both sides equal so infinite solutions

b

6x - 54 = 6x - 54 + x = 7x - 54 ← not equal

c

4x + 16 = 4x + 10 + 6 = 4x + 16 ← both sides equal so infinite solutions

d

5x - 40 + 10 = 5x + 10

5x - 30 = 5x + 10 ← not equal