If a 4-foot wire weighs 1/2 pound, what would 400 feet weigh?

To determine the weight of 400 feet of wire based on the information given about the weight of a 4-foot section, you can start by calculating the weight per foot of the wire. If a 4-foot wire weighs 1/2 pound, then the weight per foot can be calculated as follows:

1/2 pound divided by 4 feet equals 1/8 pound per foot.

Next, to find out the total weight of 400 feet of wire, you multiply the weight per foot by the total length in feet:

1/8 pound per foot multiplied by 400 feet equals 50 pounds.

Thus, the total weight of 400 feet of wire is 50 pounds. This process illustrates how you can scale up from a smaller known quantity to a larger one using consistent relationships, which is essential in various electrical and construction calculations.