A pole has 4/7 of its length buried in mud. After pulling out 1/3 of the total pole length, 250 cm still remains in the mud. Determine the full length of the pole (in cm).

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 1050

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This application problem practices fraction operations and interpreting changes relative to the total length, not just the buried portion.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Initial buried length = (4/7) * L.
  • Pulled out later = (1/3) * L (of the total length).
  • Remaining buried length after pulling = 250 cm.


Concept / Approach:
Compute the new buried portion as initial buried minus the length pulled out. Set that equal to 250 and solve for L. Carefully handle fractional subtraction with a common denominator.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Initial buried = (4/7)LPulled out = (1/3)LRemaining buried = (4/7)L - (1/3)L = (12/21 - 7/21)L = (5/21)LGiven (5/21)L = 250 ⇒ L = 250 * 21 / 5 = 1050 cm


Verification / Alternative check:
Compute (4/7)*1050 = 600 cm initially buried; pulled out (1/3)*1050 = 350 cm; remaining buried = 600 - 350 = 250 cm, which matches the condition.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1000, 1100, 950 do not satisfy (5/21)L = 250 when checked; they yield 238.1, 261.9, or 226.2 cm respectively, not 250 cm.


Common Pitfalls:
Misreading “1/3 of it” as one-third of the buried part rather than one-third of the total; arithmetic errors with fractions; forgetting to reduce to a common denominator for subtraction.


Final Answer:
1050

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