When a spring of constant $k$ and natural length $L$ is cut into pieces of lengths $L_1$ and $L_2$, the new spring constants are $k_1 = kL/L_1$ and $k_2 = kL/L_2$. The product $kL$ (the stiffness per unit length) is a material property. Shorter pieces are stiffer. If cut into $n$ equal parts, each part has spring constant $nk$. If cut in ratio $m:n$, the constants are $k(m+n)/m$ and $k(m+n)/n$ respectively. This is one of the most frequently tested concepts in JEE SHM problems.