Real-Life Math -- Solution
Lene Clayton is a design manager. She says it's extremely important
for color designers to understand math and math equations. "There is a lot
of math involved," says Clayton. That often comes as a surprise to many people,
who assume they'll just be working with colors.
The equation Mr. Hanson
is figuring out is one that Clayton uses regularly. This is how the equation
should look:
1,860 square feet / 2 = 930 square feet
(This
allows for the space used up by windows and doors that don't require paint.)
930
square feet / 400 square feet per gallon = 2.33 gallons, or cans, of paint
2.33
cans x 3 coats = 6.99 cans
Mr. Hanson will need to order 7 cans
of paint in order to give the 6 rooms 3 full coats of paint.
Clayton
says it's important that clients don't order too much paint. Paint is often
expensive and if you order too much and it's already tinted, it can't be returned.
Clients expect the architectural color designers to know which colors look
best, and also how much is needed.
"You have to know your math quite
well," says Clayton.