Real-Life Math
Dr. Joanna Chon says that even though urologists don't use math a whole lot in the profession, it can be very useful to know statistics.
"Especially if you want to do research, you have to know statistics. In most urology training programs, third-year students are expected to be involved in conducting research projects -- and for this reason, it's important to learn statistics. Statistics can only help in the medical field," says Chon.
You are a young researcher in urology at a university. You are conducting experiments that could someday help scientists develop a cure for prostate cancer.
You have been working on this project full time for 2 years, earning $41,000 per year. You calculate that this year you will need to conduct 3 different experiments to prove your hypothesis about the causes of prostate cancer.
Each experiment costs $800,000 to conduct. You receive 6 percent of the department's budget each year, which must cover your salary and all your expenses.
You are upset, however, because this year the funding for your project is in jeopardy. The economy has taken a turn for the worse and the government is threatening to cut its support of your department by $12 million (from last year's total budget of $52.6 million).
Just as you are about to despair about the cuts in your budget, you receive a notice from the MacArthur Foundation. They have awarded you $50,000 to conduct research on prostate cancer.
You think this may be enough to make up for the cuts in government funding. You rush to figure out exactly how much money you will have to conduct your experiments after you account for your own salary.
Given this year's budget cuts and the award from the MacArthur Foundation, will you be able to cover your anticipated costs?