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

Question

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

is that right?

Answer 1

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?

Answer 2

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

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

3 + 5 = 8

3 parts of 8

Answer 6

Thank you!!

Answer 7

You're welcome.

Answer 8

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

Answer 9

yes it is right