1. Problem: A bookworm bores horizontally from the first page of Volume 1 to the last page of Volume 3. Each volume is 1 inch thick without covers, and each cover is \frac{1}{16} inch thick. Find the distance traveled by the bookworm. 2. Explanation: Each volume has 2 covers, so total thickness per volume including covers is $1 + 2 \times \frac{1}{16} = 1 + \frac{2}{16} = 1 + \frac{1}{8} = \frac{9}{8}$ inches. 3. Important: The bookworm starts at the first page of Volume 1 (right after the front cover of Volume 1) and ends at the last page of Volume 3 (right before the back cover of Volume 3). 4. Calculation: The volumes are placed side by side with no space. The bookworm travels through the back cover of Volume 1, all of Volume 2, and the front cover of Volume 3. 5. Distance traveled = thickness of back cover of Volume 1 + thickness of Volume 2 (including covers) + thickness of front cover of Volume 3. 6. Back cover thickness = \frac{1}{16} inch, Volume 2 thickness = \frac{9}{8} inches, front cover thickness = \frac{1}{16} inch. 7. Total distance = \frac{1}{16} + \frac{9}{8} + \frac{1}{16} = \frac{1}{16} + \frac{9}{8} + \frac{1}{16} = \frac{1}{16} + \frac{1}{16} + \frac{9}{8} = \frac{2}{16} + \frac{9}{8} = \frac{1}{8} + \frac{9}{8} = \frac{10}{8} = 1.25$ inches. Final answer: The bookworm travels 1.25 inches.