help with problem on number of tiles needed for pool

[jeninick]

I am a sixth grader and have been working on this problem now for several hours and need help.

A pool contractor is putting ceramic pool tile on the sides and bottom of a pool. The pool measures 10 feet wide by 16 feet long by 4 feet deep. If the pool tiles measure 6 square inches, how many pool tiles will be needed to complete the job?

We had a sub at school today and she gave us the answer of 1472 tiles, but we have to figure out how to solve it. I have tried every formula and way I know and can not come up with this number. HELP, PLease

 

[Loren]

Re: help with problem

I would suggest that you get all measurements in the same units. So, if you want to do it in inches, change the measurements of the pool to inches. Then figure the total area getting square inches. The final step would be to divide the total number of square inches of the surface of the pool by the number of square inches in one tile.
If you want to do it using smaller numbers, leave the measurements of the pool in feet. Then change the sides of the tile from 6 inches to 1/2 foot. Your final step is to divide the total area of the pool measured in square feet by the square footage of one tile, to get the number of tiles. The square footage of one tile will be a common fraction or, if you like, change it to a decimal fraction. The key is to have all measures in the same units.
If you need more help, show us your work so we can see how you are doing and where you need help.

 

[Denis]

Re: help with problem

Or try doing it first assuming tiles are 1 ft by 1 ft: so 40 requires for each 4 by 10 surface;
you can see that each 1 ft by 1 ft requires 4 tiles size 6 in by 6 in, right?