1: A carpenter needs to cut four sections, each 3-feet 8-inches long, from a piece of molding. If the board is only sold by the foot, what's the shortest length of board she can buy?

4 sections ... each 3 ft 8 inches

1 ft = 12 inches ... so 3 ft = (12 * 3) = 36 inches

36 + 8 = 44 inches ... so 3 ft 8 in. is equal to 44 inches

4 sections ... each 44 inches ... 4 * 44 = 176 inches

176/12 = 14 2/3 ft ... so the carpenter should buy 15 ft < = = shortest