Seven students cut 5 and 3 fourths inches of thread from a spool for a school project. What number represents the change in the amount of the thread on the spool?

Each of the 7 students removes 5¾ inches, so the total amount removed is 7 × 5¾ = 7 × 23/4 = 161/4 = 40¼ inches. Since the amount of thread on the spool decreases, represent the change with a negative number: −40¼ inches. The correct choice is negative 40 and 1 fourth inches.

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