AlgebraEasy–MediumTwo pieces of a rope with a fixed difference
Algebra practice question
A rope 9.6 metres long is cut into two pieces, one of which is 1.4 metres longer than the other. What is the length, in metres, of the shorter piece?
Answer: 4.1
Let the shorter piece be s: s + (s + 1.4) = 9.6 → 2s = 8.2 → s = 4.1.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 5.5
- 5.5 is the longer piece.
- If you answered 4.8
- 4.8 halves the rope, ignoring the difference.
- If you answered 8.2
- 8.2 is 2s, before halving.
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