Question

A cord of length $71\frac{1}{2}$ m has been cut into 26 pieces of equal length. What is the length of each piece?

Answer 1

Length of each piece of the cord = $71\frac{1}{2}÷26$
$$\begin{gathered} =\left(71+\frac{1}{2}\right)÷26 \\ =\frac{143}{2}÷26 \\ =\frac{143}{2}÷\frac{26}{1} \\ =\frac{143}{2}\times \frac{1}{26} \\ =\frac{143\times 1}{2\times 26} \\ =\frac{143}{52} \\ =\frac{9}{4} \\ =2\frac{3}{4}\mathrm{m} \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the length of each piece of the cord is $2\frac{3}{4}\mathrm{metres}$.