A piece of ribbon 1500 cm long is cut into 3 parts, B, A and C.
B is 3 times as long as A.
C is 220 cm shorter than A.
Give the answers in cm.

1. How much longer is B than A?
2. What is the total length of B and C?

(a)
Choose the shortest length to be 1 u.

Length of C = 1 u
Length of A = 1 u + 220
Length of B = 3 x (1 u + 220) = 3 u + 660

Total length of B, A and C
= 3 u + 660 + 1 u + 220 + 1 u
= 3 u + 1 u + 1 u + 660 + 220
= 5 u + 880

5 u + 880 = 1500
5 u = 1500 - 880
5 u = 620

1 u = 620 ÷ 5 = 124

Length of B longer than A
= 3 u + 660 - (1 u + 220)
= 3 u - 1 u + 660 - 220
= 2 u + 440
= 2 x 124 + 440
= 248 + 440
= 688 cm

(b)
Total length of B and C
= 3 u + 660 + 1 u
= 4 u + 660
= 4 x 124 + 660
= 496 + 660
= 1156 cm

Answer(s): (a) 688 cm; (b) 1156 cm