Question

You want to put a 4 inch thick layer of topsoil for a new 14 ft by 31 ft garden. The dirt store sells by the cubic yards. How many cubic yards will you need to order? The store only sells in increments of 1/4 cubic yards.

Answer 1

Explanation:

14 ft=14/3 yards

31 ft=31/3 yards

thickness=4 inch=4/12 ft=1/3 ft=1/(3×3) yards=1/9 yards

volume=14/3 ×(31/3)×(1/9)=434/81 cubic yards ≈5.3580 cubic yards

5.25<5.3580<5.50

so dirt needed to order= 5.5=5 1/2 cubic yards