Question

A pipe that is 165 feet long is cut into three parts whose lengths are in the ratio 2 : 5 : 8. Find the length of the longest piece. Longest piece: 2 feet

Answer 1

88 ft

Explanation:

Let's say the shortest piece has length 2x, so the medium piece has length 5x and the longest piece has length 8x. Added together, they equal 165, so

2x + 5x + 8x = 165

15x = 165

divide both sides by 15 to isolate x

x = 11

8x = longest piece = 88 ft