Variables in Word Problems: A string is cut into three pieces of unequal length...

hemmed

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Dec 26, 2016
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Hi there,

I'm working through Algebra Demystified and this question and answer has me stumped:

A string is cut into three pieces of unequal length. The shortest piece is 1/4 as long as the longest piece. The mid-length piece is 1/3 the length of the longest piece.

State the following (provided answers in italics):

Length of the longest piece (in the given units) = x
Length of the shortest piece (in the given units) = 1/5x
Length of the middle piece (in the given units) = 1/2x

Silly question, why are they not 1/4x and 1/3x?
 
A string is cut into three pieces of unequal length. The shortest piece is 1/4 as long as the longest piece. The mid-length piece is 1/3 the length of the longest piece.

State the following (provided answers in italics):

Length of the longest piece (in the given units) = x
Length of the shortest piece (in the given units) = 1/5x
Length of the middle piece (in the given units) = 1/2x

Silly question, why are they not 1/4x and 1/3x?
Um... a typo...? Because your answers are correct. ;)
 
Gosh that's annoying - Second one in chapter two! Thank you for confirming.
 
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