A 12-yard-long pipe is cut into three equal sections. Two of the resulting sections are cut in half, and one of the halves is cu
t into thirds. If two pipe sections are chosen and combined end to end, what is the difference between the longest possible and shortest possible combinations? (Note: 1 yard = 3 feet)
12 yard pipe equals 36ft. Divided equally 3 times gives 3 pipes at 12ft per pipe. 2 of those are divided in half, making 4 6ft pipes. 1 of the 6ft pipes is cut into 3 2ft pipes. you now have 3 pipes at 2ft, 3 pipes at 6ft and 1 pipe at 12ft. the longest 2 pieces are 12ft and 6ft making 18ft. 2 shoetest pieces equal 4ft. 18ft minus 4ft equals 14ft.
