This is very confusing can someone explain

Identify the parent function that can be used to graph the function f(x)= (1/4x)^3

Sam makes his sales calls according to a pattern. he travels either north or south depending on the calendar. some of his past trips were as follows: on february 17, april 24, june 10, september 19, and november 3 he drove north. on february 28, may 25, august 22, november 20, and december 18, he drove south. describe sams' pattern. in which direction will sam drive on oct4 and oct 24?

Ametal rod needs to be 9 feet and 5.5 inches in length. the sections of the poles being used are each 1 foot and 10.5 inches long. how many 1ft 10.5in sections would be needed to complete the 9ft 5.5in metal rod? and how many inches of material will be left?