Question

A line segment 42 inches long is divided into 3 portions in a ratio of 1:2:4.

How many inches long is the longest portion than the shortest portion?

a) 16 b) 18 c) 20 d) 22 e) none of these

Answer 1

Option B.

Explanation:

It is given that A line segment 42 inches long is divided into 3 portions in a ratio of 1:2:4.

Let the length of 3 portions are x,2x and 4x respectively.

`x+2x+4x=42`

`7x=42`

Divide both sides by 7.

`x=6`

The value of x is 6.

The lenght of 3 portions are

`x=6`

`2x=2(6)=12`

`4x=4(6)=24`

Difference between the longest portion and the shortest portion is

`24-6=18`

Longest portion is 18 inches longer than the shortest portion

Therefore, the correct option is B.