From a 4x8 sheet, how many end panels can be cut?

• A. 10
• B. 12
• C. 14
• D. 16

Answer: (B)

Fitting as many panels as possible from a sheet is all about how many times the panel dimensions will fit along each edge of the sheet and then multiplying those counts.

If the end panels are 16 inches by 24 inches, you can lay them out with the 24-inch side along the 8-foot length of the sheet and the 16-inch side along the 4-foot width. That gives you 48 inches divided by 16 inches = 3 panels across the width, and 96 inches divided by 24 inches = 4 panels along the length. 3 × 4 = 12 panels in total. If you rotate the layout, you get 48 divided by 24 = 2 across and 96 divided by 16 = 6 along, which also yields 12. In basic cut-count problems, the kerf of the saw is usually neglected, so this straightforward calculation is the standard approach.

So, twelve end panels can be cut from one 4×8 sheet.