Final answer:
Cutting a rusted stop sign into quarters involves geometry and measurement, specifically making two cuts that intersect at the sign's center at right angles, while considering safety and tool usage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factual statement about Alex wanting to cut a rusted stop sign into quarters in his shop class involves the application of geometry and measurement. To cut something into quarters means to divide it into four equal parts. If we assume the stop sign is a regular octagon, Alex would need to make two cuts that intersect at the center of the sign and are at right angles to each other.
However, since this is a real-world application, considerations such as safety, the tool used for cutting, and the material of the stop sign (typically aluminum) are also relevant.