1)) A 5 -foot piece of aluminum wire costs \( \$ 34.20 \). What is the price per inch?

To find the price per inch, we first convert the total length of the wire from feet to inches. Since there are 12 inches in a foot, a 5-foot piece is \( 5 \times 12 = 60 \) inches. Now, we can calculate the price per inch by dividing the total cost by the total length in inches: \( \frac{34.20}{60} = 0.57 \). So, the price per inch of aluminum wire is approximately \( \$ 0.57 \). To make this a bit more fun, did you know that aluminum was first smelted in the early 19th century? It was so rare and precious that it was once more valuable than gold! Imagine using aluminum in jewelry instead of its more common application today; you would've been considered quite the trendsetter! Another interesting tidbit: when it comes to purchasing wire or similar materials, always check local hardware stores or online marketplaces. Prices can fluctuate based on demand or proximity to manufacturing sources. Sometimes buying in bulk or during sales can save you even more! Plus, learning how to calculate value per unit is a useful skill for all sorts of shopping adventures!