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?
How long is the shortest part? ** Since the shortest part is consists of 2 parts, then each part is equal to 16 cm/2 = 8 cm.
How many parts were cut? ** The whole wire was cut into 7 + 3 + 2 = <<7+3+2=12>>12 parts.
How long was the wire before it was cut? ** Hence, the wire was 8 cm x 12 = <<8*12=96>>96 cm long
#### 96