Can You Cut Three Pieces of Pipe from a Longer Length? Let’s Figure it Out!

Have you ever been in a position where precise measurements make all the difference? Well, today, we’re tackling a question that’s not just a math problem but an essential skill in the world of Oilers and Plant Tenders. Imagine you have a length of pipe and need to cut it into specific sections. Sounds straightforward, right? But what if there's the chance of waste during the cutting process? Let's break this down in a way that sticks, so you can ace that Oilers/Plant Tenders Civil Service Exam.

So, here’s the scenario: you’ve got three pieces of pipe, each measuring 2’8” long. That’s a total of 8 feet, if you convert the whole thing properly—which, spoiler alert, you will need to do! Luckily, math isn’t as scary as it seems, especially when you see how it applies to real-world situations. Each piece of pipe equals 32 inches, meaning you’ll be working with some straightforward arithmetic.

Now, let’s do some quick calculations to see if these pieces can be cut from a length of pipe that’s 8’1 3/8” long, or 97.375 inches as we want to have everything in the same units. Nothing like consistency to keep things crystal clear!

First, we need to know how much pipe you need altogether. Ready? Three pieces at 32 inches each gives you:

• 32 inches × 3 = 96 inches.

Ah, but here's where it gets a little tricky. When cutting the pipe, you're going to incur a bit of waste. Yup, every cut is going to waste some material—specifically, 1/8 of an inch for each cut. Since you're cutting to get three sections, that means you’ve got two cuts to consider, which adds up to:

• 1/8 inch × 2 = 1/4 inch.

So, what's the total length you’ll need for the cut pieces and waste? Drumroll, please! You add the total length of the desired pieces and the amount of waste:

• Total length needed = 96 inches + 1/4 inch = 96.25 inches.

Now, convert that last part back to inches. That gives you 96 and 1/4 inches.

Let’s pull it all together. You’ve got a total available length of 97.375 inches. That’s way more than the 96.25 inches you calculated. So the answer to our original question—can three pieces of 2’8” be cut from an 8’1 3/8” piece of pipe with 1/8” waste per cut? You betcha! The answer is definitely Yes.

In a nutshell, this particular problem may be a math concern, but the underlying concepts play a key role in many scenarios you might encounter as an Oilers or Plant Tender. Whenever you’re dealing with material lengths and required sections, remember to keep the waste in mind—your future colleagues will definitely appreciate it, and you’ll surely thank yourself when those calculations save you time and resources on the job!

So keep practicing, stay sharp with your measurements, and remember: the right calculations can make all the difference in your work. Good luck with your studies, and here’s to all those future pipe cutting challenges—you’ve got this!