Question

Alex, an eighth grader, and Eric, a seventh grader, need to determine who came closer to their grade’s state record for the triple jump. Alex jumped 39.75 feet and Eric jumped 37 feet and "1" "1" /"4" inches. Who was closer to the state record if the eighth-grade record is 42.25 feet, and the seventh-grade record is 39 feet 3 inches? (2 points)

Answer 1

Let's compare the jumps to the respective grade records:

For Alex (eighth grader):
\[ | 42.25 - 39.75 | = 2.5 \text{ feet} \]

For Eric (seventh grader):
Convert \(37 \text{ feet} \, 1 \frac{1}{4} \text{ inches}\) to feet:
\[ 37 \text{ feet} \, 1 \frac{1}{4} \text{ inches} = 37 \text{ feet} \, 1.25 \text{ feet} = 38.25 \text{ feet} \]

\[ | 39.25 - 38.25 | = 1 \text{ foot} \]

Comparing the differences, Eric was closer to the seventh-grade record.