Asked by student #1

A builder is to build a staircase up to a landing which is 3 metres from the floor level. Each step rises 20 cm, and the horizontal part of the step goes 25 cm.
a) How many steps will he need to build?
b) How far from the wall will he need to move to be able to have the correct number of steps?
c) How many linear metres of carpet will he need to be able to cover all the steps and one metre at the top landing?
Answered by oobleck
3m = 300cm
a) 300cm * 1step/20cm = 15 steps
b) 15 steps * 25cm/step = 375cm
c) 15(20cm + 25cm) = 6.75 m
Answered by oobleck
oops - add the extra 75cm for the top landing (25cm included by thinking of it as a step)
Answered by student #1
add the extra 75cm for the top landing (25cm included by thinking of it as a step)

what does that mean?
Answered by oobleck
each step as a 20cm rise and a 25cm tread
The top step is not just a step - it is the landing, but I already added in the 25cm by considering it a step.

c'mon, guy.