Finding the Maximum Length of Each Piece

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 133 views

Introduction

In this problem, we are given three ropes of different lengths: 36m, 48m, and 60m. The task is to cut these ropes into equal pieces, and we need to find the maximum length of each piece. This problem involves the concept of greatest common divisor (GCD) and the Euclidean algorithm.

Understanding the Problem

To solve this problem, we need to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the three rope lengths. The GCD is the largest number that divides all three lengths without leaving a remainder. Once we find the GCD, we can divide each rope length by the GCD to find the maximum length of each piece.

Calculating the GCD

To calculate the GCD of the three rope lengths, we can use the Euclidean algorithm. The Euclidean algorithm is a method for finding the GCD of two numbers, and it can be extended to find the GCD of multiple numbers.

Step 1: Find the GCD of 36 and 48

To find the GCD of 36 and 48, we can use the Euclidean algorithm:

def gcd(a, b):
    while b != 0:
        a, b = b, a % b
    return a
gcd_36_48 = gcd(36, 48)
print(gcd_36_48)  # Output: 12

The GCD of 36 and 48 is 12.

Step 2: Find the GCD of 12 and 60

Now, we need to find the GCD of 12 and 60:

gcd_12_60 = gcd(12, 60)
print(gcd_12_60)  # Output: 12

The GCD of 12 and 60 is also 12.

Step 3: Find the GCD of 12, 36, and 48

Since the GCD of 12 and 60 is 12, and the GCD of 36 and 48 is 12, we can conclude that the GCD of 12, 36, and 48 is also 12.

Finding the Maximum Length of Each Piece

Now that we have found the GCD of the three rope lengths, we can divide each rope length by the GCD to find the maximum length of each piece:

max_length_36 = 36 // 12
max_length_48 = 48 // 12
max_length_60 = 60 // 12
print(max_length_36)  # Output: 3
print(max_length_48)  # Output: 4
print(max_length_60)  # Output: 5

The maximum length of each piece is 3m, 4m, and 5m.

Conclusion

In this problem, we used the Euclidean algorithm to find the GCD of three rope lengths: 36m, 48m, and 60m. We then divided each rope length by the GCD to find the maximum length of each piece. The maximum length of each piece is 3m, 4m, and 5m.

Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) Formula

The GCD of two numbers a and b can be calculated using the following formula:

gcd(a, b) = a * b / (a + b)

However, this formula is not as efficient as the Euclidean algorithm, especially for large numbers.

Euclidean Algorithm Formula

The Euclidean algorithm can be used to find the GCD of two numbers a and b using the following formula:

def gcd(a, b):
    while b != 0:
        a, b = b, a % b
    return a

This formula is more efficient than the GCD formula and can be used to find the GCD of multiple numbers.

Real-World Applications

The concept of GCD has many real-world applications, including:

Cryptography: GCD is used in cryptography to find the private key of a public-key cryptosystem.
Computer Science: GCD is used in computer science to find the greatest common divisor of two numbers.
Mathematics: GCD is used in mathematics to find the greatest common divisor of two numbers.

Conclusion

Q: What is the greatest common divisor (GCD) of three rope lengths: 36m, 48m, and 60m?

A: The GCD of three rope lengths: 36m, 48m, and 60m is 12.

Q: How do you find the GCD of three numbers?

A: To find the GCD of three numbers, you can use the Euclidean algorithm. The Euclidean algorithm is a method for finding the GCD of two numbers, and it can be extended to find the GCD of multiple numbers.

Q: What is the Euclidean algorithm?

A: The Euclidean algorithm is a method for finding the GCD of two numbers. It works by repeatedly dividing the larger number by the smaller number and taking the remainder.

Q: How do you use the Euclidean algorithm to find the GCD of three numbers?

A: To use the Euclidean algorithm to find the GCD of three numbers, you can first find the GCD of two numbers, and then find the GCD of the result and the third number.

Q: What is the maximum length of each piece if the three ropes are cut into equal pieces?

A: The maximum length of each piece is 3m, 4m, and 5m.

Q: How do you find the maximum length of each piece?

A: To find the maximum length of each piece, you can divide each rope length by the GCD of the three rope lengths.

Q: What are some real-world applications of the GCD?

A: The GCD has many real-world applications, including:

Cryptography: GCD is used in cryptography to find the private key of a public-key cryptosystem.
Computer Science: GCD is used in computer science to find the greatest common divisor of two numbers.
Mathematics: GCD is used in mathematics to find the greatest common divisor of two numbers.

Q: How do you calculate the GCD of two numbers using the formula?

A: The GCD of two numbers a and b can be calculated using the following formula:

gcd(a, b) = a * b / (a + b)

However, this formula is not as efficient as the Euclidean algorithm, especially for large numbers.

Q: How do you calculate the GCD of two numbers using the Euclidean algorithm?

A: The Euclidean algorithm can be used to find the GCD of two numbers a and b using the following formula:

def gcd(a, b):
    while b != 0:
        a, b = b, a % b
    return a

This formula is more efficient than the GCD formula and can be used to find the GCD of multiple numbers.

Q: What is the importance of the GCD in mathematics?

A: The GCD is an important concept in mathematics because it is used to find the greatest common divisor of two numbers. The GCD is used in many mathematical operations, including division and multiplication.

Q: How do you use the GCD in real-world applications?

A: The GCD is used in many real-world applications, including cryptography, computer science, and mathematics. The GCD is used to find the greatest common divisor of two numbers, which is an important concept in many mathematical operations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the GCD of three rope lengths: 36m, 48m, and 60m is 12. The maximum length of each piece is 3m, 4m, and 5m. The Euclidean algorithm is a method for finding the GCD of two numbers, and it can be extended to find the GCD of multiple numbers. The concept of GCD has many real-world applications, including cryptography, computer science, and mathematics.