Real-Life Math -- Solution
The solution to the problem involves simple multiplication and division
based on knowing the weight of the cow and the total amount in each antibiotic
bottle, and converting it to the appropriate dosage.
The solution to
the problem involves simple multiplication and division based on knowing the
weight of the cow, cc per animal weight, and converting it to the appropriate
dosage in ounces.
You know the cow weighs 500 pounds. You also know
that you need 2 cc of antibiotic for each 100 pounds of cow. To arrive at
the solution:
500 pounds / 100 = 5
5 x 2 cc's
= 10 cc's
You need 10 cc of antibiotic. Now you
need to calculate how many ounces of antibiotic that is. You already know
that 1 cc is equal to 0.0002 ounces.
1 cc = 0.0002
ounces
10 cc's = 0.0002 x 10
10 cc's = 0.002 ounces
You
should give the cow 0.002 ounces of antibiotic.
It's not often that
you'll need to do very intensive math problems as a farm laborer, but things
like this can come up. John Youngberg, vice president of governmental affairs
at the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, says that it's about the same as in
many other industries.
"As with any industry, there is a requirement
to be able to do basic math and some algebra: area, volume, etc."he says.