Find the greatest possible length which can be used to measure exactly the lengths 7m, 3m 85cm and 12m 95cm.
Find the greatest possible length which can be used to measure exactly the lengths 7m, 3m 85cm and 12m 95cm.

Answer:

Given lengths are 7m (700cm), 3m 85cm (385cm) and 12m 95m (1295cm).

The required length = HCF (700, 385, 1295)

Using prime factorization,

700 = 2 × 2 × 5 × 5 × 7 = 22 × 52 × 7

385 = 5 × 7 × 11

1295 = 5 × 7 × 37

∴ HCF = 5 × 7 = 35

The greatest possible length = 35cm.