The number of washers 3/32 inch thick that can be cut from a piece of stock 25 1/2 inches long, allowing 1/16 inch for waste for each cut is

a. 160
b. 163
c. 260
d. 272
e. 408

please answer and explain

For one washer you must include the waste and the width so..

(3/32)+(1/16)=5/32 or 0.15625

You have 25.5 inches of pipe so how many washers can be taken from it..
25.5/0.15625=163.2

Rounding to the lower number as it will only make .2 of the 164th washer means b is the answer

number of cuts = (n-1)

amount wasted = 1/16 * (n-1)

amount total = (3/32) n + (1/16) n - 1/16
so
25 16/32 = 5 n/32 -2/32

816/32 +2/32 = 5 n/32
818 = 5 n
n = 163.6 so 163

To find the number of washers that can be cut from a piece of stock, we need to determine the length of each washer and divide the total length of the stock by the length of each washer.

Given information:
Thickness of each washer = 3/32 inch
Total length of the stock = 25 1/2 inches
Waste for each cut = 1/16 inch

To find the length of each washer, we need to subtract the waste from the total thickness of the washer:
Length of each washer = thickness of washer - waste = 3/32 - 1/16 = 3/32 - 2/32 = 1/32 inch

Next, we divide the total length of the stock by the length of each washer to find the number of washers:
Number of washers = Total length of stock / Length of each washer

To perform the division, we need to convert the fractions to a common denominator:
Total length of stock = 25 1/2 inches
Converting the mixed number to an improper fraction: 25 1/2 = (2 * 25 + 1) / 2 = 51/2

Number of washers = (51/2) / (1/32)
We can simplify this division by multiplying the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator:
Number of washers = (51/2) * (32/1) = (51 * 32) / (2 * 1) = 1632 / 2 = 816

Therefore, the correct answer is:
b. 163 washers

Explanation:
To find the number of washers, we:

1. Found the length of each washer by subtracting the waste from the total thickness.
2. Divided the total length of the stock by the length of each washer.
3. Simplified the division and obtained the answer of 816 washers.