Each can of Brand A paint will cover 200 square feet. A building has two walls to be painted. One is a rectangle with length 30 feet and width 16.5 feet, and the other is a triangle with height 12 feet and base 16 feet. What is the least number of cans of Brand A paint that are needed to paint the two walls in their entirety?

Rationale

Three cans of Brand A paint are needed to cover the two walls.

To determine the total paint required, we first calculate the area of both walls and then divide by the coverage of one can of paint. The rectangular wall has an area of 495 square feet, and the triangular wall has an area of 96 square feet, leading to a combined area of 591 square feet. Dividing this by the 200 square feet coverage per can gives us approximately 2.95, which rounds up to 3 cans.

A (2) YOUR ANSWER

Choosing 2 cans would only cover 400 square feet (2 x 200), which is insufficient for the total area of 591 square feet. This option underestimates the paint required, failing to account for the areas of both the rectangular and triangular walls.

B (3) CORRECT

This option is correct, as it accurately reflects the amount of paint needed. With a total area of 591 square feet and each can covering 200 square feet, 3 cans will cover 600 square feet, providing enough paint to cover both walls entirely.

C (4) YOUR ANSWER

While 4 cans would cover 800 square feet (4 x 200), which is more than enough, it is not the least number of cans required. This option represents an overestimation of the paint needed, leading to unnecessary expenditure.

D (5) YOUR ANSWER

Similar to option C, 5 cans would cover 1000 square feet (5 x 200), greatly exceeding the area needed. This choice is excessive and economically inefficient, as it far surpasses the actual paint requirement for the job.

Conclusion

To paint both walls of the building, a total area of 591 square feet must be covered. Three cans of Brand A paint will adequately cover this area, as each can covers 200 square feet. Options A, C, and D either underestimate or overestimate the required amount, making B the only viable choice for the least number of cans needed.

Three cans of Brand A paint are needed to cover the two walls.

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