Math Problem of the Week - Upper Elementary - May 1, 2022 to May 7, 2022

Upper Elementary: 

Question: Carlo had four 16-pound tubs of clay. After he sculpted a 36-pound bust, how many tubs of clay did he have left? 

Answer: 1 3/4 tubs

Solution: We can find out how many tubs Carlo used by dividing the amount of clay he used by the amount of clay per tub. That’s 36 ÷ 16 = 2 R4. Next, we can find out what fractional part of a tub got used by dividing the remainder by 16 again. That’s 4 ÷ 16 = ¹/₄. So, Carlo used 2¹/₄ tubs of clay. Now we can find that Carlo has 4 – 2¹/₄ = 1³/₄  tubs left.