document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1210257>Question 1210257</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Ran across this:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "\"The weight of a fraction of a square foot of any material can be quickly computed  by the breakdown method;\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "The weight of 1 sq. ft. of steel, 0.22 in. thick, is 8.976 lbs., how much will 81 sq. in. of this thickness weigh ?\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "72 sq. in. (1/2 of 8.976 lbs.) = 4.488 lbs.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "9 sq. in. (1/8 of 4.888 lbs.) = .561 lbs.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "------------------------------------------\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "81 sq. in.                    =  5.049 lbs. \"\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "My question:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Why was 1/2 and 1/8 used ?\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #851756 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=851756\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "One square foot<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 1 foot by 1 foot<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 12 inches by 12 inches<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 12*12 = 144 square inches<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The \"breakdown method\": (NOT a standard mathematical term -- but a valid method you are apparently learning....)<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "81 square inches = 72 square inches plus 9 square inches<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "72 square inches = 1/2 of 144 square inches, so 72 square inches weighs 1/2 as much as 144 square inches -- 1/2 of 8.976 pounds = 4.488 pounds<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "9 square inches = 1/8 of 72 square inches, so 9 square inches weighs 1/8 as much as 72 square inches -- 1/8 of 4.488 pounds = 0.561 pounds<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Weight of 81 square inches of the material<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= weight of 72 square inches plus weight of 9 square inches<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 4.488 + 0.561 pounds = 5.049 pounds<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "A summary without so many words to help see where the \"1/2\" and \"1/8\" came from:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "81 = 72+9 = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=red%281%2F2%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"red%281%2F2%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > of 144 plus <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=red%281%2F8%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"red%281%2F8%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > of 72<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );