("For an assignment in Home Economics class, Michael is making a tablecloth for a circular tabe 3 feet in diameter. The tablecloth, when finished has to be down 5 inches over the edge of the table all the way around. To finish the tablecloth's edge, he will fold under and sew down 1 inch of the material all around the edge. He will use a single piece of rectangular fabric that is 60 inches wide. What is the shortest length of fabric, in inches, Michael could use to make the tablecloth without putting any separate pieces of fabric together?")

Can you answer the problem? Try to do it! I will post the actual answer eventually! It

48 inches? Not sure...

Poll added!

48 because I googled it and one of the answers said 48.

8? oh mess

I hate math problems like these **** get me confused.

I'll take geometry for 200 please.

Yes, that's what the answer key for the ACT practice test this was taken from said. Math is so easy<3

I just did total inches = (3)(12) + (2)(1) + (2)(5) = 48 inches, although the question is a bit ambiguous.

The last part of the problem isn't necessary I think its 48 inches, although its worded awkwardly.

The limit does not exist

48?

36 inch diameter + 10 inches for the 5 inch increase all the way around + 2 inches for the 1 extra inch you need to fold over. = 48 inch diameter.

That seemed too easy, is this a trick question?

Ugh even changing some of the words in there didn't prevent people from finding the answer on Google.

Would you answer a math problem if you were not a math teacher?

Inner circle diameter = 36 inches
Outter circle diameter = 36 + 5 +1 + 5 +1 = 48 inches.

You need a piece of fabric that is at least 48 x 48 inches, in this case 60 x 48 inches then.

I didn't even do math when I was in math classes.

The maths is simple, such questions is about whether you can filter the on-topic information from the distractions and turn it into an equation.

Minimum size of fabric is already said 48 * 48 inches. (not asked)

They were talking about a 60" wide rol, cutting which length from that rol? 48" (what they were really asking)

You would use a 60 * 48 inches fabric. (not asked)

Surely if you put a square/rectangular piece of cloth over a circular table its not gonna have an even 5 inches hanging off the edge at any given point tho...

!!!

It's 48 for sure.

To get the inner diameter in inches, you just convert 3 feet to 36 inches. Then, you add 5 x 2 = 10 to get 5 extra inches all the way around which is 46. Then you add 1 x 2 = 2 for the rolled 1 inch all the way around which is 48. So you would need at least a 48 x 48 sheet. You would therefore use a 60x48 sheet.

What I was initially doing was adding 5 and 1 to 36, which would have been correct if 36 was the radius.