Question

AI has a roll of 4 feet of ribbon. How many 8-inch pieces can he cut from the roll?

Answer 1

Hint: Here we have a simple problem. First we need to convert a given quantity in the same unit of measurements, then we convert the given word problem into an algebraic expression and then we simplify the equation to get the result. We take ‘x’ to be the number of 8- inches pieces.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Given,
AI has a roll of 4 feet of ribbon.
We need to convert the given 4 feet of ribbon to inches.
We know that 1 foot is equal to 12 inches.
Then we will have \[4 \times 12\] inches of ribbon.
That is we will have \[48\] inches of ribbon.
Now assume that the number of 8-inches pieces to be ‘x’
Then
 \[ \Rightarrow 8x = 48\]
Divide the whole equation by 8 we have,
 \[ \Rightarrow x = \dfrac{{48}}{8}\]
 \[ \Rightarrow x = 6\]
Thus we will have 6 pieces of 8-inches from the roll.
So, the correct answer is “6 pieces”.

Note: Algebra helps in converting a mathematical statement into an equation. We know if we have ‘more’ or ‘sum’ in the given sentence we use addition operation \[( + )\] . Similarly If we have ‘less’ or ‘difference’ we use subtraction \[( - )\] . If we have a ‘quotient’ we use division operation \[( \div )\] . To define more generalized terms; we use algebra. It is a very vast branch of mathematics and is used in all the branches of mathematics like polynomial, linear equations, graphs, etc. and in daily life too.