A segment 12" long is divided into two segments having lengths in the ratio of 2:3. Find the length of the shortest segment.

2

2 2/5

4 4/5

7 1/5

Let x and y be the lengths of the segments. From the given above, the ratio of the sides is equal to 2/3.

x / y = 2 / 3

From the proportion, it is conclusive that x = 2y/3. The sum of x and y should be equal to 12.

x + y = 12

(2x/3 + y) = 12

The value of y is 7.2. The value of x then is equal to 4 4/5. The answer is the third choice.

4 4/5.

Divide 12 by 5, 5 because you would add 2 and 3

You will get 2 2/5

Now you know what the ratio 1 is equivalent to

There is 2 ratio portions in the shortest segment.

2 2/5 multiplied by 2 is 4 4/5