Jim has 5 pieces of string. He needs to choose the piece that will be able to go around his 36-inch waist as his belt broke. The piece needs to be at least 4 inches longer than his waist so he can tie a knot in it, but it cannot be more that 6 inches longer so that the ends will not show from under his shirt. Which of the following pieces of string will work the best?

Explanation: Length of the waist \(= 36 \text{ inch}\). The string should be 4 to 6 inches longer. Therefore, possible length of the string should be between \(36+4=40\) inches to \(36+6=42\) inches. In feet: \(40 \text{ inches} = \frac{40}{12} \text{ feet} = 3 \frac{4}{12} \text{ feet} = 3 \frac{1}{3} \text{ feet}\). \(42 \text{ inches} = \frac{42}{12} \text{ feet} = 3 \frac{6}{12} \text{ feet} = 3 \frac{1}{2} \text{ feet}\). The acceptable range is \(3 \frac{1}{3} \text{ feet}\) to \(3 \frac{1}{2} \text{ feet}\). \(3 \frac{1}{4} \text{ feet} = 3.25 \text{ feet} = 39 \text{ inches}\) (too short). \(3 \frac{1}{2} \text{ feet} = 3.5 \text{ feet} = 42 \text{ inches}\) (Exactly max). \(3 \frac{3}{4} \text{ feet} = 3.75 \text{ feet} = 45 \text{ inches}\) (too long). \(3 \text{ feet} = 36 \text{ inches}\) (too short). Since the required length is \(40 \text{ to } 42\) inches, only \(3 \frac{1}{2}\) feet (\(42\) inches) is in the options and the correct range. The correct answer in the source is D, \(3 \frac{1}{4}\) feet, which is 39 inches, this is outside the minimum required length of 40 inches. There is an error in the provided key/option D text. Given the options, the one that works best within the specified range should be \(3 \frac{1}{2}\) feet (42 inches). However, following the given answer is D, which is incorrect in its value.