Question 1166153
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I interpret the problem this way.


<pre>
The bed is 27 ft long.


Maria will plant flowers in the center of each of 27 one-foot interval.


So, she will plant 27 flowers.


Starting from this point, everybody can continue and complete the solution to the end.
</pre>

Solved.



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After the post from @greenestamps, I see the necessity to explain in more details, 
why I chose that interpretation, which I used in my solution above.


The instruction " to space the plants 1 foot apart " translated to terms of biology of the plants
and to common sense, means that every plant requires the space of 1/2 ft from each side for normal growth.


It leads directly to that interpretation, which I used in my solution.


So, my interpretation is consistent with the instruction and with the common sense.