Answer:
Tom can cut 12 (15 inch pieces) from the two boards.
Explanation:
We're first given foot measurements and we're asked to find the answer in inches. That means we must convert 8 feet to inches, which is a 1:12 inches conversion. 8 times 12 will give you 96, so now you will multiply that value by 2 because Tom has 2 8-foot long boards. That will give you 192 inches. Since the question is asking for 'how many 15 inch pieces he can cut from the two boards?', you will need to divide 192 inches by 15 to find the answer. This will give you 12.8 boards. Because you can't have parts of an object, the answer will be 12 whole boards.