Question

How many pieces 3 and three fifths in. long can be cut from 28 metal rods each 15 in.​ long? Disregard waste.

Answer 1

116 whole pieces

Explanation:

We have a 28 metal rods that are 15 inches long each, out of which we need to cut
`3(3)/(5)` inches long metal rods.

Firstly, we will convert the mix fraction into improper fraction and then divide the total length of the rod by it.

`3(3)/(5)` inches =
`(18)/(5)` inches

Dividing the total length of rod by this length and multiplying it by 28 to get:

`(15)/((18)/(5) )` =
`28 (15 * (5)/(18))` =
`116.6`

Therefore, 116 whole pieces can be cut from the given length of rod.

Answer 2

Answer: 112 pieces

Explanation:

1. Rewrite
`3^{(3)/(5)}` as a decimal. Divide the numerator and the denominator of the fractional part and add it to the integer part:

`3+0.6=3.6in`

2. You know that each metal rod is 15 inches long. Then, you must divide the lenght of each one by 3.6:

`pieces=(15in)/(3.6in)4.16`

3. The waste is 0.16, therefore, you obtain 4 pieces from a metal rod. The total pieces obtained from 28 metal rods are:

`total=4pieces*28=112pieces`