You want to make a square picnic table that is 4 1/2 feet wide, and you want to use 2x8 boards to make the table top. You know that 2x8 boards are actually 1 1/2 by 7 1/4 inches after they've been dried.

How many boards do you need to make the table top? What spacing will you have between the boards?

Optional: You may include a 1/2-inch border along the edges of the table. You may also decide that your table will be slightly over or under 4 1/2 feet wide, if you can provide an appropriate justification.