A long wire is cut into three smaller pieces in the ratio of 7:3:2. If the shortest piece is 16 cm, how long was the entire wire before it was cut?
Let's be accurate as possible. Think before you answer.
96
Since the shortest part is consists of 2 parts, then each part is equal to 16 cm / 2 = 8 cm.

The whole wire was cut into 7 + 3 + 2 = 12 parts.

Hence, the wire was 8 cm x 12 = 96 cm long.

.

The answer: 96