Question

A 2 1/2 inch nail is driven through a 1 1/8 inch thick piece of wood supporting a joist. How far into the joist did it extend?

Answer 1

Answer: $1\frac{3}{8}$ inches

Step-by-step explanation:

Given: The length of nail = $2\frac{1}{2}\ \text{inch}$

The thickness of the wood = $1\frac{1}{8}\ \text{inch}$

The length extended by nail = $2\frac{1}{2}-1\frac{1}{8}$ inch

First convert the mixed fractions into the improper fraction, we get

⇒The length extended by nail =$\frac{5}{2}-\frac{9}{8}$ inch

⇒The length extended by nail =$\frac{5\times4-9}{8}=\frac{20-9}{8}$ inches

⇒The length extended by nail =$\frac{11}{8}=1\frac{3}{8}$ inches

Answer 2

It extended the joist by 1 3/8 .