SOLUTION: A, B, C, D, and E. are consecutive points on a line. If AB/BC=1/3, BC/CD=1/4, and CD/DE=1/2, what is AC/BE ? How would I set up this problem in order to solve it?

Algebra ->  Proportions  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: A, B, C, D, and E. are consecutive points on a line. If AB/BC=1/3, BC/CD=1/4, and CD/DE=1/2, what is AC/BE ? How would I set up this problem in order to solve it?      Log On


   

Question 1168562: A, B, C, D, and E. are consecutive points on a line. If AB/BC=1/3, BC/CD=1/4, and
CD/DE=1/2, what is AC/BE ?
How would I set up this problem in order to solve it?
Found 2 solutions by Edwin McCravy, AnlytcPhil:
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20054) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A, B, C, D, and E. are consecutive points on a line. If AB/BC=1/3, BC/CD=1/4,
and CD/DE=1/2, what is AC/BE ?

Begin by letting AB = 1 unit.  Then you'll see how I got these numbers:



let AB = 1 unit, then

%28AB%29%2F%28BC%29=1%2F3
1%2F%28BC%29=1%2F3
Cross-multiply,
3=BC
So BC = 3 units

%28BC%29%2F%28CD%29=1%2F4
3%2F%28CD%29=1%2F4
Cross-multiply,
12=CD
So CD = 12 units

%28CD%29%2F%28DE%29=1%2F2
12%2F%28DE%29=1%2F2
Cross-multiply,
24=DE
So DE = 24 units
what is AC/BE ?

AC = AB+BC = 1+3 = 4
BE = BC+CD+DE = 3+12+24 = 39

So

%28AC%29%2F%28BE%29+=+4%2F39

Edwin

Answer by AnlytcPhil(1806) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A, B, C, D, and E. are consecutive points on a line. If AB/BC=1/3, BC/CD=1/4,
and CD/DE=1/2, what is AC/BE ?

Begin by letting AB = 1 unit.  Then you'll see how I got these numbers:



let AB = 1 unit, then

%28AB%29%2F%28BC%29=1%2F3
1%2F%28BC%29=1%2F3
Cross-multiply,
3=BC
So BC = 3 units

%28BC%29%2F%28CD%29=1%2F4
3%2F%28CD%29=1%2F4
Cross-multiply,
12=CD
So CD = 12 units

%28CD%29%2F%28DE%29=1%2F2
12%2F%28DE%29=1%2F2
Cross-multiply,
24=DE
So DE = 24 units
what is AC/BE ?

AC = AB+BC = 1+3 = 4
BE = BC+CD+DE = 3+12+24 = 39

So

%28AC%29%2F%28BE%29+=+4%2F39

Edwin