Question 993858
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The previous solution 

http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/misc/Miscellaneous_Word_Problems.faq.question.993858.html

is totally wrong!


To estimate the numbers of circles,  you should divide the area of the fabric  5 m x 1.3 m 

(or, &nbsp;better, &nbsp;4.96 m x 1.28 m) &nbsp;by the area of the &nbsp;<U>square</U>&nbsp; with the side of &nbsp;8 cm.


You have &nbsp;{{{496/8}}} = 62 &nbsp;sizes of the square along the the longer side of the fabric and &nbsp;{{{128/8}}} = 16 

sizes of the square along the shorter sides. &nbsp;In total, &nbsp;there are &nbsp;62*16 = 992 &nbsp;such squares.


There is another pattern, &nbsp;which seems more promising. &nbsp;It is the pattern where the centers 

of circles are located in the vertices of equilateral triangles. &nbsp;Although it is elementary to analyse 

such a pattern, &nbsp;it seems to be still above of the average school level, &nbsp;therefore 

I am not placing such an analysis here.