Question

inés makes a wooden tongue drum with her brother. the top of the drum is $\frac{3}{4}$-inch thick with an \h\ cut out to make two \tongues\ for different sounds. one tongue is $\frac{1}{8}$ inch thicker than the top and the other tongue is $\frac{1}{8}$ inch thinner. what are the thicknesses of the two tongues?

Explanation:

Step1: Find the thickness of the thicker tongue

The top of the drum is $\frac{3}{4}$ inch thick. The thicker tongue is $\frac{1}{8}$ inch thicker. So we add $\frac{3}{4}$ and $\frac{1}{8}$. First, find a common denominator, which is 8. Convert $\frac{3}{4}$ to eighths: $\frac{3}{4}=\frac{6}{8}$. Then add $\frac{6}{8}+\frac{1}{8}=\frac{7}{8}$.

Step2: Find the thickness of the thinner tongue

The thinner tongue is $\frac{1}{8}$ inch thinner than the top. So we subtract $\frac{1}{8}$ from $\frac{3}{4}$. Convert $\frac{3}{4}$ to eighths: $\frac{3}{4}=\frac{6}{8}$. Then subtract $\frac{6}{8}-\frac{1}{8}=\frac{5}{8}$.

Answer:

The thickness of the thicker tongue is $\frac{7}{8}$ inch and the thickness of the thinner tongue is $\frac{5}{8}$ inch.