A plumber needs four sections of pipe 2 7/8
feet long. Can this be cut from a 12 foot section? If so, how
much pipe will be left over? If not, why not?
What is 4 x 2 7/8 ?
or
4 x 23/8 ?
4 * 2 7/8
4/1 * 23/8 = 92/8 = 11 1/2
12 - 11 1/2 = ?
To determine if a plumber can cut four sections of pipe, each measuring 2 7/8 feet, from a 12-foot section, we need to compare the lengths.
To calculate the total length of four sections of pipe, we multiply the length of one section by four:
4 * 2 7/8 = (4 * 2) + (4 * 7/8) = 8 + 28/8
To add the fraction 28/8 to the whole number 8, we need to convert the fraction to the same denominator as the whole number, which is 8:
28/8 = 28/8 * 1/1 = 28/8
Since the numerator and denominator are the same, the fraction remains unchanged.
Now we can add the fraction to the whole number:
8 + 28/8 = 8 + 3 1/2 = 11 1/2
Therefore, four sections of pipe, each measuring 2 7/8 feet, have a total length of 11 1/2 feet.
Since the total length of the four sections is 11 1/2 feet, and the length of the 12-foot section is greater than the total needed, it is possible to cut the four sections from the 12-foot section.
To determine the amount of pipe left over, we subtract the total length of the four sections from the length of the 12-foot section:
12 - 11 1/2 = 12 - (11 + 1/2) = 12 - 11 - 1/2 = 1/2
Therefore, there will be 1/2 foot (or 6 inches) of pipe left over after cutting four sections, each measuring 2 7/8 feet, from the 12-foot section.