SOLUTION: Square steel rods weigh 1/3 lb. / linear foot and are 5/16 in. on each side. Calculate total length of a group that weighs 23 3/4 lbs. My attempt: 23.75 / .33333 = 71.25 f

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Question 1152676: Square steel rods weigh 1/3 lb. / linear foot and are 5/16 in. on each side. Calculate total length of a group that weighs 23 3/4 lbs.

My attempt:
23.75 / .33333 = 71.25 ft.
Not sure if my calculations are correct.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

You have the correct answer. It is equivalent to 71 & 1/4 feet (see Note 2 below). Nice work.

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Here is another way to get the answer.

The info that the square rods are "5/16 in. on each side" is never used.
We only use the information that they weigh 1/3 lb. per linear foot and that the total weight is 23 & 3/4 pounds.

23 & 3/4 pounds = 23.75 pounds

1/3 lb. per linear foot
1/3 lb : 1 foot
1 lb : 3 feet ......... multiply both parts of the ratio by 3 (see Note 1 below)
23.75*1 lb : 23.75*3 feet ......... multiply both parts by 23.75
23.75 lb : 71.25 feet

71.25 feet = 71 & 1/4 feet

71.25 feet of rods weigh 23.75 pounds
71 & 1/4 feet of rods weigh 23 & 3/4 pounds (see Note 2 below)

Footnotes:
Note 1: multiplying both sides of an equation by 3 is the same as dividing both sides by 1/3 = 0.33333333... (the dots indicating the '3's go on forever) Example: 1/5 divided by 1/3 = 1/5 times 3/1 = 1/5 times 3. So this is why we are getting the same answer despite taking slightly different paths.
Note 2: Your teacher did not state how the final answer format should be; however, I'm assuming that the teacher wants a mixed number since none of the given values are in decimal format. Though of course it's best to ask the teacher directly to clear up any confusion.