Real-Life Math -- Solution
You're trying to figure out how much plywood you need for a kitchen floor.
Part A
This is how to figure out how many sheets of plywood you'll need to cover an area 50 feet x 64 feet:
Area = length x width
A = 50 feet x 64 feet
So, the square footage of the area to be covered is 3,200 square feet.
Part B
Each sheet of plywood is 8 feet x 4 feet:
Area = length x width
A = 8 feet x 4 feet = 32 feet
So, the square footage of each sheet of plywood is 32 square feet.
3,200 square feet / 32 square feet = 100
You tell the salesperson that you need 100 sheets of plywood stacked on to the back of your truck.
"You spend a lot of time measuring things at this job," says carpenter Rob McIntyre. "And when you're measuring for supplies, it has to be accurate." Mistakes could prove very expensive in material costs, labor and reputation.