Question

You want to put a 5 inch thick layer of topsoil for a new 16 ft by 34 ft garden. The dirt store sells by the cubic yards. How many cubic yards will you need to order? The store only sells in increments of 1/4 cubic yards.

Answer 1

Answer: About 8.5 cubic yards

Explanation:

Given : The length of the garden = 16 ft.

The width of the garden = 34 ft.

The depth of the thick layer of topsoil on the garden = 5 inch

=
`(5)/(12)\text{ ft.}` [Since 1 foot = 12 inches]

The volume of a rectangular prism :-

`V=l*w*h`, where l is length , w is width and h is height.

The number of cubic feet of topsoil required will be

`V=16*34*(5)/(12)=(680)/(3)\text{cubic feet}`

Since 1 yard = 3 feet

`1\text{ foot}=(1)/(3)\text{ yard}`

`V=(680)/(3)*(1)/(3)*(1)/(3)*(1)/(3)=8.3950617284\approx8.50\text{cubic yards}`