An electrician uses switch outlet boxes on eight different jobs. The numbers used were 56, 9, 86, 36, 93, 105, 42, 56. What is the total number of outlet boxes used?

• A. 420
• B. 483
• C. 500
• D. 455

Answer: (B)

Adding up all the numbers gives the total number of outlet boxes used. Each number represents boxes for a job, so summing across all eight jobs yields the grand total. One reliable way is to pair them to keep the math manageable: 56 + 56 = 112, 9 + 36 = 45, 86 + 42 = 128, 93 + 105 = 198. Now add those results: 112 + 45 = 157, 157 + 128 = 285, 285 + 198 = 483. So the total is 483. You can also verify with a straightforward run: 56 + 9 + 86 + 36 + 93 + 105 + 42 + 56 = 483.