Math Word Problem(Sq. In, Carpet Tiles)

Question

A major convention center, whose floors are covered by square carpet tiles with side lengths of 9 inches laid out in a 48 by 96 array, held a wild conference over the weekend. A local cleaning company was hired to clean the carpet tiles, given an offer of $0.05 per carpet square. The cleaners accepted the job, but not until after the convention center agreed to their counter of $0.10 per square foot. The cleaners were happy, because they knew they would be getting paid more than the convention center originally offered. How much more, exactly?

 

 

So i literally have no idea how to figure this out, apparently the answer is $28.8 but I don't know how to get that. Can someone explain?

Answer 1

So, Nicolas, let's think about this. Right now, there are 48(96) = 4608 carpet tiles, so the company was making 4608($.05) = $230.40.

 

Instead, they countered with square feet. Since each square is 9 x 9 inches, we have a total of 4608(9)(9) = 373,248 square inches. 

 

One square foot is 12 x 12 inches, or 144 square inches. 373,248/144 = 2592 square ft.

 

2592($.10) = $259.20

 

$259.20 - $230.40 = $28.80

 

Boom.