document.write( "Question 442022: A segment is divided into two parts having lengths in the ratio of 5:3. If the difference between the length of the parts is 6\", find the length of each part? I tried doing it like $\"5x%2B3x=6%22\"$ $\"8x=6\"$ And i got (x = 1 1/3) and it was wrong what do I need to do?\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #305115 by htmentor(1343) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Let x and y be the lengths of the two segments.
\n" ); document.write( "Their ratio is 5/3 so we write this as:
\n" ); document.write( "x/y = 5/3
\n" ); document.write( "Their difference is 6 so we have:
\n" ); document.write( "x - y = 6 [Note that in the ratio above we let x be the larger of the two segments]
\n" ); document.write( "From the 1st equation we can express x in terms of y as:
\n" ); document.write( "x = 5/3y
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute this value in the 2nd equation:
\n" ); document.write( "5/3y - y = 6
\n" ); document.write( "Solve for y:
\n" ); document.write( "2/3y = 6
\n" ); document.write( "y = (3/2)6 = 9
\n" ); document.write( "Therefore x = (5/3)y = (5/3)9 = 15
\n" ); document.write( "So the lengths of the two segments are 9 and 15
\n" ); document.write( "Check:
\n" ); document.write( "Ratio = 15/9 = 5/3
\n" ); document.write( "Difference = 15 - 9 = 6 \n" ); document.write( "

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