Hi,
I realize that there are a couple of posts around this question on the forum already. However, I'm having trouble with not just understanding the solution (in the book and the ones on the forum) but with interpreting the question as well.
"A wire is cut into 3 equal parts. The resulting segments are then cut into 4,6 and 8 equal parts respectively. If each of the resulting segments has an integer length, what is the minimum length of the wire? "
- Initially I understood it as the wire is cut into 1/3+1/3+1/3. Followed by
-piece one= 1/3*1/4
-piece two= 1/3*1/6
-piece three= 1/3*1/8
Therefore making the smallest piece 1/24 of the original. I understand this isn't an integer (and the question in the book doesn't have answer choices) but if 24 was listed as an answer option that's what I would have picked.
From the answer explanation given in the book and on the forum so far (neither of which I understand yet), I'm on an entirely wrong track.
Can someone please please break this down for me? Thanks a lot!
PS: Underlining and bold-ing the parts of the question I think I'm misunderstanding.
I realize that there are a couple of posts around this question on the forum already. However, I'm having trouble with not just understanding the solution (in the book and the ones on the forum) but with interpreting the question as well.
"A wire is cut into 3 equal parts. The resulting segments are then cut into 4,6 and 8 equal parts respectively. If each of the resulting segments has an integer length, what is the minimum length of the wire? "
- Initially I understood it as the wire is cut into 1/3+1/3+1/3. Followed by
-piece one= 1/3*1/4
-piece two= 1/3*1/6
-piece three= 1/3*1/8
Therefore making the smallest piece 1/24 of the original. I understand this isn't an integer (and the question in the book doesn't have answer choices) but if 24 was listed as an answer option that's what I would have picked.
From the answer explanation given in the book and on the forum so far (neither of which I understand yet), I'm on an entirely wrong track.
Can someone please please break this down for me? Thanks a lot!
PS: Underlining and bold-ing the parts of the question I think I'm misunderstanding.
