i have two piece of ribbon one is 17.5cm longer than the other and 1/3 of one ribbon is the same as 3/4 of the other what is the size of the smaller ribbon

Answer 1

s = smaller , r = longer

s + 17.5 = r

r / 3 = 3 s / 4 ... 4 r = 9 s

solve the system

Answer 2

that doesn't answer the question though does it ?

Answer 3

X=x
Y=(x+17.5)
1/3Y=3/4x
1/3(x+17.5)=3/4x
x+17.5=3/4x*3
x+17.5=9x/4
17.5=(9x/4)-x
17.5=(9x-4x)/4
17.5*4=5x
70=5x
14=x
So, shortest piece of ribbon is 14cm