Question 1187239
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Speaking formally,  it is unclear, what is the meaning of these words  " 18  inches apart "  in this problem.


How we should understand these words for walking lights located near the corner points ?  
Should we  (and/or can we)  cut the angles there ?


Usually,  these words " 18  inches apart "  mean  18  inches along the sides.


The standard and traditional way to solve such problems is to calculate the perimeter and to divide it by the elementary distance.


Then the quotient gives you the answer.


But in this problem the perimeter is    2*(30+16) = 2*46 = 92 ft    and it is not divisible by  18  inches  (= 1.5 ft)  without the remainder,


so the answer is  " It is not possible formally satisfy the problem's requirements ".



So,  I would say that the person who composed this problem,  did not take care to make this problem  SELF-CONSISTED.