1. Let ‘x’ represent the width of each column.

(1/8)x is the width of the gutter.

Since there are 3 columns

We assume that there are 2 gutters between them.

Now we can write:

1 + 1 + 3𝑥 + 2 ∗ (1/8)𝑥 = 8.5

2 + 3𝑥 + 𝑥/4 = 8.5

3𝑥 + 𝑥/4 = 8.5 – 2

Take LCM

12 𝑥 + 𝑥 =6.5

Cross multiplication

13 𝑥 = 26

𝑥 =2

The width of each column is 2 inches.

And then we find the gutter value

Gutter Value = x / 8

Gutter Value = 2 /8

Gutter Value = 0.25

Regards.