Answer:
The number of boats Melinda tied are less than 14.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the number of boats = n
Now, Melinda ties 1 boat with 5.5 feet of nylon rope.
So, she ties 'n' boats with [tex]5.5n[/tex] feet of nylon rope.
That is, the length of the rope used = [tex]5.5n[/tex] feet of nylon rope .....(1)
Since, initial length of the rope = 80 feet and the remaining length of the rope > 3 feet.
Then, the length of the rope used < 80 - 3 .....(2)
That is, from (1) and (2),
[tex]5.5n<80-3\\\\5.5n<77\\\\n<\frac{77}{5.5}\\\\n<14[/tex]
Hence, the number of boats Melinda tied are less than 14.
