Area Measurements: Converting Feet to Sq. Feet for Horse Stall

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around converting measurements from feet to square feet for calculating the amount of lime needed for horse stalls. Participants explore the necessary calculations for area and volume, including the conversion of inches to feet, and the implications of density in determining the weight of lime required. The conversation includes both practical applications and some historical context regarding measurement systems.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests help with converting dimensions for two horse stalls measuring 12' x 12' and applying a thickness of 2.25" of lime.
  • Another participant suggests that the question resembles homework and expresses a preference for metric conversions.
  • Several participants calculate the volume needed, with one stating that 12 x 12 x 2.25 results in 324 cubic feet, while another corrects this to 27 cubic feet after converting inches to feet.
  • There is discussion about the density of lime and its importance in calculating the total weight needed for the project.
  • Some participants provide insights into the historical reasons for measurement conversions, such as the significance of the 1/12 conversion factor from inches to feet.
  • Participants express confusion over the conversion factors and the historical context of measurement systems.
  • One participant argues that the choice of measurement systems is more about convenience than precision, referencing the divisibility of numbers in various contexts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for conversion and the calculations involved, but there is disagreement regarding the interpretation of measurement systems and the historical context of these conversions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to the problem and the implications of using different measurement systems.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the conversion factors and the historical reasons behind them. The discussion highlights the dependence on specific definitions and assumptions regarding density and measurement units.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in practical applications of area and volume calculations, those exploring measurement systems, and participants in similar DIY projects involving material estimations.

notegghead
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I need help converting feet to area or square feet for my horse stall. I have two stalls, each of which is 12' x 12'. I want to put a thickness of 2.25" of lime over the barn floor surface of these stalls. How many 50 lb bags would I need to buy? Can you show me the equation also? Thank you. :approve:
 
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notegghead said:
I need help converting feet to area or square feet for my horse stall. I have two stalls, each of which is 12' x 12'. I want to put a thickness of 2.25" of lime over the barn floor surface of these stalls. How many 50 lb bags would I need to buy? Can you show me the equation also? Thank you. :approve:
looks very much like school homework, is it not ? :rolleyes:
I unfortunately don't understand foot, inch, or "lb" !
Convert everything in the metric system first !
 
It's easy to calculate that you will need 12x12x2.25= 324 cubic feet. The problem is that, in order to put this into pounds, you need to know the density of the lime.

Using, as a rough estimate, "a pint's a pound, the world around" (that really applies to water), 324 cubic feet is about 19390 pints. Roughing that out at 20000 pounds (perhaps lime is denser than water!), that would be 20000/50= 400 fifty pound bags.
 
HallsofIvy said:
It's easy to calculate that you will need 12x12x2.25= 324 cubic feet. The problem is that, in order to put this into pounds, you need to know the density of the lime.

You forgot to convert the 2.25" into feet.

12[ft] X 12[ft] X 2.25[in] X 1/12 [feet/in] = 27 ft^3

That's a cubic yard per stall. If you tell the guy you're buying the lime from that you need two yards, you should just make it.
 
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enigma said:
You forgot to convert the 2.25" into feet.
12[ft] X 12[ft] X 2.25[in] X 1/12 [feet/in] = 27 ft^3

Apart from the density, that was my missing step.
I can't understand the 1/12 stuff ! Where does it historically came from ?!
(I am aware that we are not using metric time either.)
 
humanino said:
Apart from the density, that was my missing step.
I can't understand the 1/12 stuff ! Where does it historically came from ?!
(I am aware that we are not using metric time either.)
1/12 is a conversion factor - one foot = 12 inches. Apparently it was http://www.npl.co.uk/about/history_length/page04.html some time in the 1200's. Maybe it seemed like a good year for it?
 
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Replies to Area Math

Thank you one and all for your assistance.
 
1 foot = 12 inches,

so 1 inch is 1/12 of a foot.

2.25 inches are 2.25/12 feet

The trick to keep it straight is the units. There is 1 foot in 12 inches.

If you look at the 1/12 term, the feet are in the numerator, the inches are in the denominator.

If you multiply the units together along with the numbers, you can keep everything straight.

12 [ft] X 12 [ft] = 144 [ft^2]

2.25 [in] X 1/12 [feet/in] = 2.25/12 [(ft*in)/in] = .1875 [ft]

144 [ft^2] * .1875 [ft] = 27 [ft^3]
 
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Zorodius said:
1/12 is a conversion factor - one foot = 12 inches. Apparently it was http://www.npl.co.uk/about/history_length/page04.html some time in the 1200's. Maybe it seemed like a good year for it?
Thanks Zorodius
 
  • #10
The reason why there are 12 inches in a foot is so you can have even measurements for 1/3 and 1/4 of a foot.

1/3 of a meter is 33.33333333333333... centimeters.

1/3 of a foot is 4 inches

1/4 of a cm is 2.5 mm
1/4 of a foot is 3 inches.

The reason that there are 60 minutes in an hour is because it is evenly divisible by
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20, and 30.

Degrees in a circle is even better.
360 is evenly divisible by
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 45, 60, 72, 90, 120, and 180.

Obviously, more precision is necessary when navigating long distances at sea then when designing a stable. That's why there aren't 360 "quatloos" per foot.

IIRC, the Babylonians had a base 60 numbering system though...
 
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  • #11
enigma said:
The reason why there are 12 inches in a foot is so you can have even measurements for 1/3 and 1/4 of a foot.

1/3 of a meter is 33.33333333333333... centimeters.

1/3 of a foot is 4 inches

1/4 of a cm is 2.5 mm
1/4 of a foot is 3 inches.

The reason that there are 60 minutes in an hour is because it is evenly divisible by
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20, and 30.

Degrees in a circle is even better.
360 is evenly divisible by
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 45, 60, 72, 90, 120, and 180.

Obviously, more precision is necessary when navigating long distances at sea then when designing a stable. That's why there aren't 360 "quatloos" per foot.

IIRC, the Babylonians had a base 60 numbering system though...

I would argue that if you took 0.333333 instead of 12/4, that the difference once you reached your destination would be minute. It's entirely a convenience thing, not precision.

Oh, and any "perfect" precision is probably lost when degrees are converted to radians. :devil:
 

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