Page 175 - Calculating Agriculture Cover 20191124 STUDENT - A

CH 15] Calculating Agriculture 15-3

Solution algorithm A (convert all weights to metric):
a. Make all weights kilos then total the units of each feedstuff.

100 kg wheat = 100.00 kg
250 # cracked corn x 0.45 kg/ # = 112.50 kg
100 kg oats = 100.00 kg
312.50 kg total weight

b. Compare oats to the total.

100 kg oats
—————— x 100% = 0.32 x 100% = 32.0%
312.50 kg total

Solution algorithm B (convert all weights to pounds)
a. Make all weights pounds then total the units of each feedstuff.

100 kg wheat ÷ 0.45 = 222.22 lb
250 # cracked corn = 250.00 lb
100 kg oats ÷ 0.45 = 222.22 lb
694.44 lb total weight
b. Compare oats to the total.

222.22 # oats
—————— x 100% = 0.3199 x 100% = 32.0% (Rounding)
694.44 lb total

Though the units of measurement have been mixed in these, it is noted that one solution
calculates for English measurement and the other solution uses metric measurement, their solution
algorithm is the same, and the resultant answer is similar (32.0% : 32.0%).

What is the metric system?
The Metric system is based on a decimal system of
measurements which began with Simon Stevin (1548 —
1620) a Flemish mathematician and military engineer,
and John Napier (1550 — 1627) a Scottish theologian
and mathematician. The metric system uses the meter,
liter, and gram as its base units of length (distance),
capacity (volume), and weight (mass) respectively.
As a system of measurement the beginning of the 15
metric system is traced back to Gabriel Mouton, the vicar
of St. Paul's Church in Lyon, France, a notable
astronomer and mathematician. In 1670, Mouton
conceived of a system for measuring the earth, a sphere,
based on the length of one minute of longitude which is
¼ of a degree (know that there are 60 minutes in each
degree of latitude and four minutes for each degree of
longitude). This unit of length, he further proposed,
should be based on decimal arithmetic, or on powers of Figure 15.1 Gabriel Mouton, vicar of St. Paul's
ten. Mouton also recommended the use of prefixes to Church, Lyon, France, a notable astronomer
make naming conventions less arbitrary. and mathematician.
As a means of measurement, the French National
Assembly directed the French Academy of Sciences in 1791 to address the chaotic state of French

Longitude time and degrees for the earth: The earth, being a sphere, has a circumference at the equator
0
or any latitude line that is 360 . As there are 24 hours in our day and each hour contains 60 minutes then
0
0
there exists a relationship of time to earth’s degrees which is 360 / 24 hours = 15 / 1 hour. As there are 60
0
0
0
minutes in each hour then 15 / 1 hour = 15 / 60 minutes = 0.25 / 1 minute. As the earth rotates, one point
such as Greenwich, England or Paris, France travel degrees of distance to time that equates to (1 minute /
0
0
0.25 / minute = ) 4 minutes to 1 rotation.