SOLUTION: A wire 60 inches long is cut into two pieces whose lengths have a ratio of 3 to 1. To find the length of each piece, let x be the length of the shorter piece. Since the wire is 60

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: A wire 60 inches long is cut into two pieces whose lengths have a ratio of 3 to 1. To find the length of each piece, let x be the length of the shorter piece. Since the wire is 60       Log On


   

Question 347665: A wire 60 inches long is cut into two pieces whose lengths have a ratio of 3 to 1. To find the length of each piece, let x be the length of the shorter piece. Since the wire is 60 inches long, and since the shorter piece is x inches long, what is the length of the longer piece?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If the ratio of the lengths is 3 to 1, the ratios of
the lengths to the total length is
3 to 4 and 1 to 4
given:
total length = 60 in
shorter piece = x in
-------------------
1%2F4+=+x%2F60
multiply both sides by 60
15+=+x
Since the total length is 60, the longer
piece is 60+-+15+=+45 in