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?
The way you typed your numbers makes the values unclear.
Do you mean "four sections of pipe" 2 7/8 feet long? If so, then here is help.
Since 3 > 2 7/8, and 4 * 3 = 12, it can be done.
Remainder = 12 - (4 * 2 7/8) = ?
To determine if a plumber can cut four sections of pipe, each 2, 7, and 8 feet long, from a 12-foot section, we need to consider the total length required and compare it to the available length.
First, let's calculate the total length required:
2 + 7 + 8 = 17 feet
Now, let's compare the total length required to the length of the 12-foot section:
17 feet required - 12 feet available = 5 feet left over
Therefore, the plumber cannot cut the four sections from a 12-foot section because there would still be 5 feet of pipe left over.
The reason the plumber cannot cut four sections from a 12-foot section is that the total length required (17 feet) exceeds the available length (12 feet).