Final answer:
To find the length of the small slide, subtract the difference in length (3 feet 7 inches) from the large slide (12 feet 6 inches), convert to inches, and then back to feet and inches. The small slide is 8 feet 11 inches long.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how long the small slide is when it is known that the large slide is 12 feet 6 inches long and it is 3 feet 7 inches longer than the small slide. To find the length of the small slide, we need to subtract the difference in length (3 feet 7 inches) from the length of the large slide (12 feet 6 inches).
Firstly, convert the measurements to inches to make the subtraction easier since there are 12 inches in a foot:
Large slide: 12 feet 6 inches = (12 × 12) + 6 = 150 inches
Difference: 3 feet 7 inches = (3 × 12) + 7 = 43 inches
Subtract the difference in length from the length of the large slide:
Length of small slide = 150 inches - 43 inches = 107 inches
Finally, convert the length of the small slide back to feet and inches:
107 inches ÷ 12 inches/foot = 8 feet 11 inches
Therefore, the length of the small slide is 8 feet 11 inches.