If an elastic is stretched by 86% to a length of 5.8 m, what is its original length?

If an elastic is stretched by 86% to a length of 5.8 m, what is its original length?

• A. 3.118 m
• B. 4.000 m
• C. 5.000 m
• D. 6.000 m

Answer: (A)

To calculate the original length of the elastic before it was stretched, it's important to first understand that "stretched by 86%" means that the stretch is 86% of the original length. Let the original length be represented as \( L \). If the elastic is stretched by 86%, that means it is now at a length of \( L + 0.86L \), which simplifies to \( 1.86L \). According to the problem, this stretched length equals 5.8 m. Therefore, we can set up the equation: \( 1.86L = 5.8 \) To solve for \( L \), divide both sides by 1.86: \( L = \frac{5.8}{1.86} \) Calculating that gives: \( L ≈ 3.118 m \) Thus, the original length of the elastic before it was stretched to 5.8 m is approximately 3.118 m. This confirms that option A is accurate based on the understanding of how percentages of original lengths work in relation to stretching objects.

To calculate the original length of the elastic before it was stretched, it's important to first understand that "stretched by 86%" means that the stretch is 86% of the original length.

Let the original length be represented as ( L ). If the elastic is stretched by 86%, that means it is now at a length of ( L + 0.86L ), which simplifies to ( 1.86L ). According to the problem, this stretched length equals 5.8 m. Therefore, we can set up the equation:

( 1.86L = 5.8 )

To solve for ( L ), divide both sides by 1.86:

( L = \frac{5.8}{1.86} )

Calculating that gives:

( L ≈ 3.118 m )

Thus, the original length of the elastic before it was stretched to 5.8 m is approximately 3.118 m. This confirms that option A is accurate based on the understanding of how percentages of original lengths work in relation to stretching objects.