A commercial project requires 3,200 square feet of VCT flooring. Including waste factor, how many cartons should be ordered if each carton covers 45 square feet?
Correct Answer
C) 80 cartons
With 10% waste factor: 3,200 × 1.10 = 3,520 sq ft needed. Divided by 45 sq ft per carton = 78.2, rounded up to 80 cartons to ensure adequate material.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option C is correct because it properly accounts for the 10% waste factor standard in flooring installations. The calculation starts with 3,200 sq ft × 1.10 = 3,520 sq ft total needed. Dividing 3,520 by 45 sq ft per carton gives 78.22 cartons. Since you cannot order partial cartons, this must be rounded up to 80 cartons to ensure adequate material coverage.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 71 cartons
71 cartons would only provide 3,195 sq ft (71 × 45), which is less than even the base requirement of 3,200 sq ft without any waste factor included.
Option B: 76 cartons
76 cartons would provide 3,420 sq ft (76 × 45), which falls short of the 3,520 sq ft needed when the 10% waste factor is properly included.
Option D: 85 cartons
85 cartons would provide 3,825 sq ft (85 × 45), which exceeds the requirement by 305 sq ft, resulting in unnecessary material costs and waste.
Memory Technique
Remember 'WAR': Waste factor first, Add it to base quantity, Round UP the final result - you can't buy partial cartons!
Reference Hint
Look up material estimating and waste factors in Division 9 - Finishes, specifically flooring installation sections of construction reference materials.
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