An economical carpenter had a block of wood measuring eight inches long by four inches wide by three and three-quarter inches deep. 

How many pieces, each measuring two and a half inches by one inch and a half by one inch and a quarter, could he cut out of it? 

It is all a question of how you cut them out. 
Most people would have more waste material left over than is necessary. 

How many pieces could you get out of the block?

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