Answer: 6 feet
Step-by-step explanation:
Given that a 4-foot by 8-foot rectangular piece of plywood will be cut into 4 congruent rectangles with no wood left over and no wood lost due to the cuts
Let assume that the 4 rectangles will be of the same area since they are congruent.
The area of the big rectangle will be
Area = 4 × 8 = 32
Divide 32 by 4
32/4 = 8
Suggest the two possible numbers in which their product will be equal to 8
4 and 2 or 8 and 1
If 4 and 2
The perimeter = 2L + 2B
Substitute the 4 and 2 into the formula
Perimeter = 2(4) + 2(2)
Perimeter = 8 + 4
Perimeter = 12
If 8 and 1
Perimeter = 2(8) + 2(1)
Perimeter = 16 + 2 = 18
The positive difference, in feet, between the greatest possible perimeter of a single piece and the least possible perimeter of a single piece will be:
18 - 12 = 6 feet
