Question

A piece of string is 40 centimeters long. It is cut into three pieces. The longest piece is 3 times as long as the middle-sized and the shortest piece is 23 centimeters shorter than the longest piece. Find the length of the shortest piece (in cm).

Options

• 27 cm

• 5 cm

• 4 cm

• 9 cm

Answer 1

4 cm

Explanation:

Let middle size piece be = x m

Longest Piece be = 3x m

Smallest size piece be = 3x − 23 m

ATQ

x + 3x + 3x − 23 = 40

7x = 63

x = 9

∴ Shortest piece = 3 × 9 − 23 = 27 − 23 = 4