PSLEVincent 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 + (3a - 4) + (a + 16)
= a + a + a + 3a + a - 4 + 16
= (7 a + 12) cm
(b)
1 m = 100 cm
2.3 m = 230 cm
Total length of rope used if a = 15
= 7 a + 12
= 7(15) + 12
= 105 + 12
= 117 cm
Total length of rope not used
= 230 - 117
= 113 cm
1 cm = 0.01 m
113 cm = 1.13 m
Answer(s): (a) (7a + 12) cm; (b) 1.13 m