Final answer:
To solve this problem, set up a system of equations. One part of the line is x inches, and the other part is 2 1/4 inches shorter than x. The second part is also 3 times the first part. Solve the equation to find the lengths of the two parts.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve this problem, we can set up a system of equations. Let's assume that one part of the line is represented by x inches. According to the problem, the other part of the line is 2 1/4 inches shorter than the first part. So the length of the second part would be (x - 2 1/4) inches. Additionally, the problem states that the second part is 3 times the length of the first part. So we can set up the equation (x - 2 1/4) = 3x.
Simplifying this equation, we get: x - 2 1/4 = 3x.
Now we can solve for x: Subtracting x from both sides, we get: -2 1/4 = 2x. Dividing both sides by 2, we get: -1 1/8 = x.
So one part of the line is approximately -1 1/8 inches and the other part is approximately (1 1/8 - 2 1/4) = -1 3/8 inches.