Solution:
Given:
From the trail lengths given,
[tex]\begin{gathered} The\text{ longest trail is }1\frac{7}{8} \\ The\text{ shortest trail is }\frac{3}{4} \end{gathered}[/tex]
The difference in length between the longest trail and the shortest trail:
[tex]\begin{gathered} 1\frac{7}{8}-\frac{3}{4}=\frac{15}{8}-\frac{3}{4} \\ =\frac{15-6}{8} \\ =\frac{9}{8} \\ =1\frac{1}{8} \end{gathered}[/tex]
The sum of the longest trail and the shortest trail.
[tex]\begin{gathered} 1\frac{7}{8}+\frac{3}{4}=\frac{15}{8}+\frac{3}{4} \\ =\frac{15+6}{8} \\ =\frac{21}{8} \\ =2\frac{5}{8} \end{gathered}[/tex]
From the calculations above, the conclusion can be reached that:
Tom's answer does not make sense. His mistake was he did the sum of the longest trail and the shortest trail.
