Jessie's community built a new hedge. Each section of the hedge used 30 pieces of concrete blocks that cost $2 per piece. The hedge has eight sections. How much did they spend on the concrete blocks? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. They used 30 x 8 = 240 concrete blocks for the eight sections. So, they spent 240 x $2 = $480 on the concrete blocks.. The answer is: 480.

In the park, the first rose bush has 12 red flowers. The second rose bush has 18 pink flowers. The third rose bush has 20 yellow flowers. The fourth rose bush has 8 orange flowers. For her vase, Lorelei picks 50% of the red roses, 50% pink roses, 25% of the yellow roses, and 25% orange roses. How many roses are in her vase? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. The number of red roses Lorelei picks is 12 x 50% = 6 roses. The number of pink roses Lorelei picks is 18 x 50% = 9 roses. The number of yellow roses she picks is 20 x 25% = 5 roses. The number of orange roses she picks is 8 x 25% = 2 roses. The total number of roses in her vase is 6 + 9 + 5 + 2 = 22 roses.. The answer is: 22.

It takes Derek 9 minutes to walk a mile if he doesn't have to walk with his brother. If he has to take his brother it takes 12 minutes to walk a mile. How many minutes longer would it take him to walk 20 miles if he had to take his brother? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Alone it would take him 9 * 20 = 180 minutes. With his brother, it would take him 12 * 20 = 240 minutes. 240 - 180 = 60 more minutes.. The answer is: 60.