To find the side length of one square tile in a 4 by 9 rectangle that measures 42.75 inches long, divide 42.75 inches by 9, resulting in a tile side length of 4.75 inches. So, the correct option is C.
The student is asked to figure out the side length of a square tile in a 4 by 9 rectangle that has an overall length of 42.75 inches. Since the rectangle is 4 tiles by 9 tiles, the side length of a tile can be found by dividing the total length by the number of tiles along that length.
To calculate the side length, we perform the following step:
Divide the total length by the number of tiles: 42.75 inches ÷ 9 tiles = 4.75 inches.
Therefore, the side length of one tile is 4.75 inches, which corresponds to option C.
The probable question may be: "The following tile floor pattern is made of 36 square tiles.
A 4 by 9 rectangle is shown containing 36 square tiles. The long dimension is labeled 42.75 inches.
Which is the side length, in inches, of one tile?
A.1.25
B. 4.25
C. 4.75
D. 10.75"