Answer: The longest possible length of the shelves = 18 inches
Step-by-step explanation:
Given: Lengths of two boards are 72-inches and 54 inches.
To make as many shelves as he can while using up all the wood we will find the longest possible length of the shelves = HCF ( 72, 54)
72 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3
54 = 2 x 3 x 3 x 3
HCF(72,54) = 2 x 3 x 3 = 18
Hence, the longest possible length of the shelves = 18 inches
