Craig has a rectangle wooden deck that measures 799 inches by 245 inches that he wants to put a string of lights around. What length of lights should he buy?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To calculate the length of lights Craig needs to buy, we need to find the perimeter of the rectangular deck. The perimeter of a rectangle is given by the formula: P=2×(length+width)P = 2 \times (length + width)P=2×(length+width)
Here, the length of the deck is 799 inches, and the width is 245 inches. Substituting these values into the formula: P=2×(799+245)P = 2 \times (799 + 245)P=2×(799+245)
First, add the length and width: 799+245=1044799 + 245 = 1044799+245=1044
Now multiply by 2: P=2×1044=2088P = 2 \times 1044 = 2088P=2×1044=2088
So, the perimeter of the deck is 2088 inches. This means Craig will need 2088 inches of string lights to go all the way around the deck.
Explanation
The perimeter is the total distance around the outside of a shape. Since the deck is rectangular, the perimeter can be calculated by adding together the lengths of all four sides. In the case of a rectangle, there are two sides of the same length (799 inches) and two sides of the same width (245 inches).
Multiplying the length and width by 2 and adding them together gives the total distance around the entire rectangle. After calculating, the perimeter is found to be 2088 inches. This is the exact length of lights Craig would need if the lights are to cover the entire perimeter without overlap or gaps.
If the lights come in specific lengths or rolls, Craig should consider buying a little extra to account for any errors in measurement or to ensure that the lights will fit exactly around the deck. It’s always a good idea to round up, just in case.
