A rope is 20 feet long. What is the maximum number of prices, each 20 inches long that can be cut from the rope

Question

A rope is 20 feet long what is the maximum  number  of  peices, each 20 inches long that can be cut from the rope.

Answer 1

First, convert 20 feet to inches:

 

      20 feet = (20 feet)*(12 inches per foot) = 240 inches

 

Now divide the length of rope in inches (240) by the length of each piece in inches (20):

 

      (240 inches)/(20 inches per piece) = 12 pieces

Answer 2

This is a tricky question to answer.

 

First off, doing math with Imperial measurements (feet and inches) can get messy. But that is a whole different issue and won't be talked about here.

 

And second, the measurements are in different units, feet verses inches. 

 

Before we do anything else make both units the same (both either feet or inches).

 

NOTE: When using Imperial measurements, always convert the larger unit (feet) to the smaller unit (inches).

 

Here's how to make feet to inches:

 

We know there are 12 inches in one foot.

 

To get the total number of inches in a 20 foot rope, simply multiply 12 inches by the total number of feet:

 

12 inches x 20 feet = 240 inches 

 

 

So now the question reads:

 

A rope is 240 inches long. What is the maximum number of pieces, each 20 inches long that can be cut from the rope?

 

To write a mathematical equation to solve the problem, let's rewrite the question, where what we are looking for is stated first, followed by the facts related to what we are looking for. NOTE: If there is more information in the question that doesn't fit into these 2 parts, you can just ignore that information.

 

OK, the question really is saying:

 

How many pieces of rope will there be (X, the number of pieces we want to know), if we take a 240 inch piece of rope (Y, the original piece of rope's length) and DIVIDE it into 20 inch pieces (Z, the length of the final pieces)?

 

Now, let's write the equation and do the math.

 

X, the number of pieces we want to know

Y, the original piece of rope's length

Z, the length of the final pieces

 

X = Y / Z

 

OR

 

X = 240 inches / 20 inches

 

X = 12 pieces

 

NOTE: If you are using this equation and the number of pieces is not a whole number, then just round it DOWN. And take the left over piece of string and tie it to your finger to help you remember to convert all measurement units to the smallest unit before doing anything else.