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
Example 1
Aluminum is being used more ad more by the American automobile industry because it is lighter than steel, which means better gas mileage. It is also easier to recycle. The bar graph shows the number of pounds of aluminum used in a particular kind of automobile during four recent years. Find the average amount of aluminum used during those four years.
QUOTIENT
DIVIDE
PER
Example 1
Aluminum is being used more ad more by the American automobile industry because it is lighter than steel, which means better gas mileage. It is also easier to recycle. The bar graph shows the number of pounds of aluminum used in a particular kind of automobile during four recent years. Find the average amount of aluminum used during those four years.
To find the average of a set of numbers, we add them. Then divide by the number of addends. We are finding the average of 54, 78, 130, 191.
The sum of the four year aluminum usage is 453 pounds. Now divide. Since the divisor is already a whole number we do not need to move the decimal points. The average amount of aluminum used was 113.25 pounds. |
|
Example 2
A carpenter is building bookcases that are 3.4 feet long. How many complete shelves can be cut from a 12-foot board?
A carpenter is building bookcases that are 3.4 feet long. How many complete shelves can be cut from a 12-foot board?
The carpenter needs to determine how many 3.4 feet boards are cut from 12 feet.
Set the division problem and move the decimal in the divisor to make it a whole number. Move the decimal in the dividend the same number of places. Divide. The carpenter can cut 3 full shelves from the 12 foot board. |
|