Question

Michael needs six 1/2 feet of metal flashing to complete a household project. He has two small pieces measuring 3 1/8feet and 1 3/4 feet. How many feet of metal fashion does Michael need to purchase?

Answer 1

Michael has 3 1/8 feet and 1 3/4 feet of metal flashing and needs a total of 6 1/2 feet for his project. After adding the pieces he has, he needs to purchase an additional 1 5/8 feet of metal flashing.

Step-by-step explanation:

Michael needs 6 1/2 feet of metal flashing for his project. He has two small pieces measuring 3 1/8 feet and 1 3/4 feet. To find out how much more he needs to purchase, we need to add the lengths of the pieces he has and then subtract that sum from the total length needed.

First, add the lengths of the pieces Michael has:

• 3 1/8 feet
• 1 3/4 feet

Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions:

• 3 1/8 feet = 25/8 feet
• 1 3/4 feet = 7/4 feet

Add these two fractions:

• 25/8 feet + 7/4 feet = 25/8 feet + 14/8 feet = 39/8 feet

Next, convert the total needed to an improper fraction as well:

• 6 1/2 feet = 13/2 feet

Now, subtract the length of the pieces Michael has from the total length needed:

• 13/2 feet - 39/8 feet = 52/8 feet - 39/8 feet = 13/8 feet

Convert the result back to a mixed number:

• 13/8 feet = 1 5/8 feet

Therefore, Michael needs to purchase an additional 1 5/8 feet of metal flashing.