A cargo truck is carrying 3 identical boxes. The weight of each box is 2 1/2 tons. Explain how to use mental math to find the total weight of the boxes in pounds

7 and 1/2 tons

multiply the integer and fraction parts separately and then add them later.

Step-by-step explanation:

A simple way to find the total weight of the boxes mentally is to separate the integer part and the fraction part of the weight of each box. For the integer part, 3 boxes weighing 2 tons total 6 tons. For the fraction part, 3 boxes weighing half a ton total 1 and a half tons. Adding both parts gives a total of 7 and 1/2 tons.