PSLEJack had 2.3 m of rope. He used some of it to make the figure as shown.
- How much of the rope did Andy use to make the figure? Leave your answer in the simplest form in terms of a.
- If a = 15, how much of the rope was not used to make the figure? Leave your answer in meters.
(a)
Total length of rope used
= a + a + a + (2a - 5) + (a + 17)
= a + a + a + 2a + a - 5 + 17
= (6 a + 12) cm
(b)
1 m = 100 cm
2.3 m = 230 cm
Total length of rope used if a = 15
= 6 a + 12
= 6(15) + 12
= 90 + 12
= 102 cm
Total length of rope not used
= 230 - 102
= 128 cm
1 cm = 0.01 m
128 cm = 1.28 m
Answer(s): (a) (6a + 12) cm; (b) 1.28 m