Question

You need to haul a load of patio bricks to a job site. Each brick weighs 4 pounds 14 ounces. Your truck can carry a 3/4-ton load. How many bricks can your truck carry in a full load?

Answer 1

Convert "3/4 ton" into pounds. Use the identity 2000 lb = 1 ton.
2000 lb 1500 lb
Then [(3/4) ton] * ---------------- = ----------------
1 ton 1

Now divide 1500 lb by 4 lb 14 oz. Note that 4 lb 14 oz = 4 14/16 lb, or
4 7/8 lb, or 4.875 lb.

Then, divide 1500 lb by

4.875 lb
------------ to determine the number of bricks the truck can safely carry.
1 brick

This comes out to 1500/4.875 bricks, or approx. 307 bricks.