Question

A quarter is 1/5 of an inch thick and 5 quarters weigh one ounce. Stephanie built a toothpick bridge that could safely hold 3 pounds. Stephanie wanted to make a tall tower of quarters on her bridge. What is the highest her quarter tower could be and not go over 3 pounds?

Answer 1

Maximum height of quarter tower = 9.6 inches.

Explanation:

The thickness of a quarter =
`(1)/(5)` inches

Weight of a quarter = 1 ounce

The maximum weight that could safely hold = 3 pounds.

The conversion factor for ounce to pound is 1 ounce = 0.0625 pound

The number of quarter used in the tower = no of ounces equivalent to 3 pounds.

No of ounces equivalent to 3 pounds =
`(3)/(0.0625)`

No of ounces equivalent to 3 pounds = 48

So the height of quarter tower = 48 \times
`(1)/(5)` inches

= 9.6 inches.