Application
Most math problems that you will encounter in the workplace do not come written with the appropriate operator (+. -, ÷, or x) in place. As an employee you will need to decode the real life problem into an algorithm. Words used that typically indicate division are:
QUOTIENT
DIVIDE
PER
QUOTIENT
DIVIDE
PER
Example 1
A 12 foot board is cut into pieces 2 1/4 feet long for use as bookshelves. How many 2 1/4 foot pieces can be cut from the 12 foot board? We are not going to allow for kerf.
A 12 foot board is cut into pieces 2 1/4 feet long for use as bookshelves. How many 2 1/4 foot pieces can be cut from the 12 foot board? We are not going to allow for kerf.
Example 2
A chef purchased a roast that weighed 10 3/4 pounds. After the fat was trimmed and the bone removed, the roast weighed 9 1/3 pounds. What was the total weight of the fat and bone? How many 1/3 pound meat servings can the chef cut from the roast?
A chef purchased a roast that weighed 10 3/4 pounds. After the fat was trimmed and the bone removed, the roast weighed 9 1/3 pounds. What was the total weight of the fat and bone? How many 1/3 pound meat servings can the chef cut from the roast?
Strategy
Subtract the weight of the roast after trimming from the purchased amount. *Reminder: To subtract fractions you need common denominators. Divide the remaining roast by the serving size. Write the mixed number as an improper fraction. Invert the second fraction. Multiply and eliminate common factors. |