PSLESimon had 3.8 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 = 24, 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 + (3a - 8) + (a + 17)
= a + a + a + 3a + a - 8 + 17
= (7 a + 9) cm
(b)
1 m = 100 cm
3.8 m = 380 cm
Total length of rope used if a = 24
= 7 a + 9
= 7(24) + 9
= 168 + 9
= 177 cm
Total length of rope not used
= 380 - 177
= 203 cm
1 cm = 0.01 m
203 cm = 2.03 m
Answer(s): (a) (7a + 9) cm; (b) 2.03 m