document.write( "Question 444568: A carpenter has a piece of lumber measuring 7 feet 6 3/4 inches long. how much must the carpenter saw off to be left with a piece 5 feet 11 5/6 inches long? Assume the saw cut has no width. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #306419 by oberobic(2304)\"\" \"About 
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First we need to get everything into the same units of measure.
\n" ); document.write( "7 ft 6 3/4 in = 7*12 + 6 3/4 = 90 3/4 inches
\n" ); document.write( "5 ft 11 5/6 = 5*12 + 11 5/6 = 71 5/6 inches
\n" ); document.write( "Hmmm...
\n" ); document.write( "The least common multiple of 4 and 6 is 12.
\n" ); document.write( "3/4 = ?/12
\n" ); document.write( "3/4 = 9/12
\n" ); document.write( "So, 90 3/4 inches = 90 9/12
\n" ); document.write( "5/6 = ?/12
\n" ); document.write( "5/6 = 10/12
\n" ); document.write( "So, 71 5/6 inches = 71 10/12
\n" ); document.write( "90 9/12 - ? = 71 10/12
\n" ); document.write( "Well, 9/12 has to be increased by 1 = 12/12 to be able to subtract 10/12.
\n" ); document.write( "89 21/12 - ? = 71 10/12
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "89 21/12
\n" ); document.write( "-71 10/12
\n" ); document.write( "18 11/12
\n" ); document.write( "or
\n" ); document.write( "1 ft 6 11/12 inches
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Answer: Cut 1 foot 6 11/12 inches.
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Does that make sense?
\n" ); document.write( "Always check your work.
\n" ); document.write( "In this case you can use a calculator and check using decimals.
\n" ); document.write( "3/4 = .75
\n" ); document.write( "90 3/4 inches = 90.75
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "5/6 = .8333333...
\n" ); document.write( "71 5/6 = 71.8333333...
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "90.75 - 71.8333333... = 18.91
\n" ); document.write( "18.91 = 1 ft 6 11/12 inches
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Done.
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