4 boards r 17 ft each? I need to make them 15 5/8 foot boards. they are 16 15/16 ft, 17 1/8,17ft, and 16 13/16ft how much needs to be remov?

17 - 15 5/8 = 16 8/8 - 15 5/8= 1 3/8 needs to be removed

17 - 17 1/8 = 1/8 has to be removed

17- 16 13/16 = 16 16/16 - 16 13/16 = 3/16 has to be removed

17-16 15/16 = 16 16/16 - 16 15/16 = 1/16 has to be removed

The key is to borrow so you can subtract:

17 = 16 and 16/16

same as 36 - 9 = 2and 16 -9 = 2 and 7= 27...Show more