Pre-Algebra Demystified

The plumber would need a piece of pipe at least 25^1724 inches long.

EXAMPLE

It takes Bill 2^34 hours to cut a lawn. It takes Walter 3^18 hours to cut the same

lawn. How much faster is Bill?

SOLUTION

Since we are looking for a difference, we subtract:

318 ¼ 318 ¼ (^298)

234 ¼ 268 ¼
(^268)
3
8
It takes Bill^38 of an hour less to cut the lawn.

EXAMPLE

How much will a trip of 212 miles cost if the allowance is 27^34 cents

per mile?

SOLUTION

Multiply:

212  2734 ¼

212

1



111

4

53

¼

212

1



111

4

¼ 53  111

¼5883 cents

To change cents to dollars, divide by 100.

5883  100 ¼$ 58 : 83

Hence the allowance for the trip is $58.83.

EXAMPLE

How many cubic feet will a 240-gallon tank hold if one cubic foot of water is

about 7^12 gallons?

72 CHAPTER 4 Fractions: Part 2