if a 40 m rope is cut into two pieces in the ratio 3 : 5, how long is each piece?

i tried: x=one piece
3/5 = x/40
x= 3*40/5
x=120/5
x=24

is that right?

ok, this is what i did, im in grade nine and first timer in this sort of stuff:

3+5=8
40 divided by 8 = 5.

then...

5/8 = x/40
x= 40 x 5 divided by 8
so x = 25?

is this good

i'm pretty sure its 25 because 25+15 = 40, but i don't know how to get the 25.

yes it is right

You're right.

Subtracting the shorter piece from the total length is a good way of finding the length of the longer piece.

You could also use this proportion.

5/8 = x/40

Thank you but on more question, where did you get the 8 in 3/8, i was confused about that. because the question has 3/5

3 + 5 = 8

3 parts of 8

Thank you!!

You're welcome.

Yes, your calculation is correct!

To find the length of each piece, you need to set up a proportion. You are given that the two pieces are in a ratio of 3:5. Let's say the length of the first piece is "x."

To set up the proportion, you compare the ratio of the lengths to the ratio of the parts of the rope:

x / (40 - x) = 3 / 5.

Now, you can cross-multiply and solve for x:

5x = 3(40 - x).

Simplifying the equation:

5x = 120 - 3x.

Combining like terms:

8x = 120.

Finally, dividing both sides by 8:

x = 120 / 8 = 15.

So, the length of the first piece is 15 meters. And since the total rope length is 40 meters, the length of the second piece is:

40 - 15 = 25 meters.

Therefore, the first piece is 15 meters long, and the second piece is 25 meters long.

No.

3/8 = x/40

8x = 120

x = 15

15 makes more sense than 24. 15 is the shorter piece. How long is the longer piece?