Paul, a janitor, must move a large shipment of books from the first floor to the fifth floor. The sign on the elevator reads "maximum weight 900 pounds." If each box of books weighs 70 pounds, find the maximum number of boxes that Paul should place in the elevator if he does not ride. The maximum number of boxes that Paul should place in the elevator is

To find the maximum number of boxes Paul can place in the elevator without exceeding the 900-pound limit, you simply divide the total maximum weight by the weight of each box. So, 900 ÷ 70 = approximately 12.857. Since Paul cannot take a fraction of a box, he can safely transport 12 boxes, which would weigh a total of 840 pounds, leaving a little wiggle room under the 900-pound limit. Now, a fun fact to keep in mind: when moving heavy items in elevators, it's often a good idea to eliminate unnecessary trips by efficiently layering boxes and distributing weight evenly, which can help maintain the longevity of the elevator system. Always check for elevator maximum weight signs before loading!