Use the problem solving process to solve these problems. For this set of questions, research or make educated estimates for any unknown information needed to answer the question. Document your steps and thinking.
A restaurant in New York tiled their floor with pennies. Just for the materials, is this more expensive than using a more traditional material like ceramic tiles? If each penny has to be laid by hand, estimate how long it would take to lay the pennies for a 12ft by 10ft room. Considering material and labor costs, are pennies a cost-effective replacement for ceramic tiles?
Lee et al., Math in Society, §1.5 Problem Solving, Exercise 33