Real-Life Math -- Solution
You want to figure out how fast the horse will run a lap of the
track, given his progress.
First you need to convert the times into
seconds.
2 minutes 11 seconds
2 minutes
x 60 seconds per minute + 11 seconds = 131 seconds
2
minutes 8 seconds
2 x 60 + 8 = 128 seconds
2
minutes 5 seconds
2 x 60 + 5 = 125 seconds
Now
compare them.
131 seconds - 128 seconds = 3 seconds
128
seconds - 125 seconds = 3 seconds also
So, we know
that Kiss Me Quick is improving his time by an average of 3 seconds per month.
3
seconds per month x 9 months remaining in year = 27 seconds
125 seconds
- 27 seconds = 98 seconds
98 seconds / 60 seconds per minute
= 1.63
0.63 minutes x 60 seconds per minute = 37.8 seconds
If
Kiss Me maintains his present rate of improvement through to the end of the
year, he will be running the lap in 1 minute and 38 seconds. That's a
full 33 seconds faster than when he first came to the stable.
"Good
math skills are an important requirement of everyday operations," says stable
manager Kathy McBride. "From calculating feed requirements of horses to the
horse's progress, the importance of strong math skills cannot be over-emphasized.
The ability to work with figures is an important part of any business, for
many reasons."