Question

It took 400 rails to create one mile of track. Each rail had ten (10) spikes. Each spike needed three (3) strikes from a hammer. A fast crew could lay four (4) rails in one minute. Crews averaged five (5) miles of track per day. If the distance from Rock Island, Illinois to Sacramento, California is approximately 1800 miles: How many rails were needed? How many spikes were nceded? How many hammer strikes were heard each hour? How many days were needed to complete the track? ​

Answer 1

Rates given

• 1 mile ⇒ 400 rails
• 1 rail ⇒ 10 spikes
• 1 spike ⇒ 3 strikes
• 4 rail/min
• 5 miles/day

Calculations for the given distance:

• Distance = 1800 miles
• Rails = 1800*400 = 720000
• Spikes = 720000*10 = 7200000
• Strikes = 3*7200000 = 21600000
• Days = 1800/5 = 360