Algebra homework

Question

A steel rod is 3 feet long . You cut 3 pieces that are 2 1/4 inches each and there is 1/16 inch waste with each cut. How much of the original rod is left after the cuts?

Answer 1

First determine the total amount cut for the three pieces , including the waste.

To accomplish this, you can add 2 1/4 to 3/16 and then multiply the sum by 3:

2 1/4 + 3/16 = 2 4/16 + 3/16 = 2 7/16

Note that 2 7/16 is equivalent to 39/16 .

Three times this sum is:

3 • 39/16 = 117/16 inches OR 7 5/16 total inches to account for

The rod was 3 feet long - this is equivalent to 36 inches.

The amount left over will be :

36 - 7 5/16 = 28 11/16 inches left over