gsm8k-0023

# GSM8K Problem 24

A candle melts by 2 centimeters every hour that it burns. How many centimeters shorter will a candle be after burning from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM?

Reason step by step, then give ONLY the final answer on the last line as \boxed{ANSWER}.

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To find out how many centimeters shorter the candle will be, we need to calculate the total duration of burning and multiply it by the rate at which the candle melts.

1.  **Calculate the duration of burning:**
    The candle burns from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
    $$5:00 \text{ PM} - 1:00 \text{ PM} = 4 \text{ hours}$$

2.  **Calculate the total length melted:**
    The candle melts at a rate of 2 centimeters per hour.
    $$4 \text{ hours} \times 2 \text{ centimeters/hour} = 8 \text{ centimeters}$$

So, the candle will be 8 centimeters shorter.

\boxed{8}