Question

Min Jee wants to build a small patio using either brick or paver stones. It will be 70 inches long and 49 inches wide. Each brick covers an area of 3 1/2 inches by 7 1/2 inches, and cost $0.59. Each paver covers an areas 8.4 inches by 8.4 inches and costs $1.88. What would be less expensive to use, and by how much?

Answer 1

Answer

It would be less expensive to use bricks.

It would be less by ($91.3889 - 71.0933) = $14.2956

Explanations

Area of patio to be build = 70 × 49

                                         = 3,430 in²

Area covered by 1 brick = 7.5 × 3.5

                                       = 26.25 in²

Number of bricks needed to build the patio = 3430 ÷ 26.25

                                                                            = 130 2/3 bricks

Cost of building the patio = 130 2/3 × $0 59

                                            = $77.0933

Area of one paver = 8.4 × 8.4

                              = 70.56 in²

Number of pavers = 3430 ÷ 70.56

                               = 48 11/18 pavers

cost of bulding using paver = 48 11/18 × $1.88

                                              = $91.3889

It would be less expensive to use bricks.

It would be less by ($91.3889 - 71.0933) = $14.2956