Real-Life Math -- Solution
1. If a drum holds 625 pounds of honey, how many drums will you need?
Honey volume: 450 colonies x 3 frames per colony x 6 lbs. per frame = 8,100 lbs.
Drums needed: 8,100 pounds / 625 pounds per drum = 12.96 drums
You'll need 13 drums to hold the honey.
2. If you sell the honey at a wholesale price of 80 cents a pound, how much will you get?
Gross return: 8,100 pounds x $0.80 per pound = $6,480
You'll receive $6,480 for the honey.
3. If the drums cost $12 each, what will be the net return for the honey?
Cost of drums: 13 drums x $12 per drum = $156
Net return: $6,480 - $156 = $6,324
Your net return, after subtracting the cost of the drums, will be $6,324.
Beekeepers use math all the time, especially if they keep bees as a business. If they're expanding their hobby into a business, they calculate how much new equipment will cost. If they're going to make their own equipment, they figure out how many raw materials they require.
"It's nice to know whether you made money or not," says beekeeper Kenn Tuckey. "You have to have math skills to add up your expenses and take it against the income that you have."
All beekeepers use math to figure out their average production. It's a matter of pride. "Everybody knows and likes to brag -- or keep quiet -- about their average production," says Tuckey.