If a firefighter needs 350 feet of hose, and each section is 60 feet long, what is the minimum number of sections required?

If a firefighter needs 350 feet of hose, and each section is 60 feet long, what is the minimum number of sections required?

• A. 3
• B. 4
• C. 5
• D. 6

Answer: (D)

To determine the minimum number of sections of hose required, we start with the total length needed, which is 350 feet, and the length of each section, which is 60 feet. To find out how many sections are necessary, we divide the total length by the length of one section: 350 feet ÷ 60 feet per section = 5.83 sections. Since you cannot have a fraction of a hose section, you must round up to the next whole number. This means that even though 5 sections would cover 300 feet (5 x 60), you still need more length to reach 350 feet since 300 is less than 350 feet. Therefore, rounding up gives you 6 sections. This calculation shows that a minimum of 6 sections is necessary to provide the required length of hose.

To determine the minimum number of sections of hose required, we start with the total length needed, which is 350 feet, and the length of each section, which is 60 feet.

To find out how many sections are necessary, we divide the total length by the length of one section:

350 feet ÷ 60 feet per section = 5.83 sections.

Since you cannot have a fraction of a hose section, you must round up to the next whole number. This means that even though 5 sections would cover 300 feet (5 x 60), you still need more length to reach 350 feet since 300 is less than 350 feet. Therefore, rounding up gives you 6 sections.

This calculation shows that a minimum of 6 sections is necessary to provide the required length of hose.