Masonry

Explanation

• Each block is \(7\frac38\) inches high, and each mortar layer is \(\frac14\) inch thick.

  • Height of each block: \(7\frac38\) inches

  • Height of each mortar layer: \(\frac14\)

• Calculate the height of the 8 blocks:

  • \(8 \cdot 7\frac38 = 8 \cdot  \left(7 + \frac38 \right) \)
  • = \(8 \cdot 7 + 8 \cdot \frac38\)
  • = \(56 + \frac{24}{8} = 56 + 3 = 59\) inches
• Calculate the height of the 7 mortar layers:
  Since there are 8 blocks, there are 7 gaps between them for mortar.
  • \(7 \cdot \frac14 = \frac74 = 1\frac34\) inches
• Calculate the total height of the wall:
  • \(59\) inches + \(1\frac34\) inches = 59 + 1\(\frac34\)
  • = \(60\frac34\) inches ≅ 61 inches