Question

what is portland cement? *
a. a type of gravel
b. the binding agent in concrete
c. a finished concrete product
d. a type of soil

what is mortar? *
a. a mixture of cement, sand, and water used to bond bricks or blocks together
b. a mixture of cement, gravel, and water used to make slabs
c. a type of soil used under concrete
d. a chemical added to concrete to speed up curing

a rectangular concrete driveway is 40 ft long, 14 ft wide, and 6 inches thick.
how many cubic yards of concrete are needed?
your answer

Explanation:

1. For the Portland cement question: Portland cement is a powder that acts as the binding component when mixed with aggregates and water to form concrete; it is not gravel, a finished product, or soil.
2. For the mortar question: Mortar is a mixture designed to bond masonry units like bricks or blocks, made of cement, sand, and water. The other options describe concrete, subbase soil, and a concrete admixture respectively.
3. For the concrete volume question: First convert all measurements to yards, then calculate the volume of the rectangular prism (length × width × thickness).

Step1: Convert units to yards

Length: $40\ \text{ft} = \frac{40}{3}\ \text{yd}$, Width: $14\ \text{ft} = \frac{14}{3}\ \text{yd}$, Thickness: $6\ \text{in} = \frac{6}{36} = \frac{1}{6}\ \text{yd}$

Step2: Calculate volume

Volume = $\text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{thickness} = \frac{40}{3} \times \frac{14}{3} \times \frac{1}{6}$

Step3: Simplify the expression

$\frac{40 \times 14}{3 \times 3 \times 6} = \frac{560}{54} \approx 10.37$

Answer:

1. B. The binding agent in concrete
2. A. A mixture of cement, sand, and water used to bond bricks or blocks together

3.