document.write( "Question 105718: A log is cut into 4 pieces in 12 seconds. How long would it take to cut the same log into 5 pieces. The answer is not 15. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #76899 by fmo(8)\"\" \"About 
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The pitfall here is in thinking that you need 4 cuts to make 4 pieces. You really need 3 cuts to make 4 pieces. Think about it, if you have one log and you make one cut, you know have two pieces of log. So, if you need to make 3 cuts and it takes you 12 seconds to do this, each cut takes:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "12 seconds / 3 cuts = 4 seconds per cut\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now, to cut a similar log into 5 pieces would require 4 cuts at 3 seconds for each cut or:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "4 cuts * 4 seconds/cut = 16 seconds.
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