Real-Life Math -- Solution
Your first step is to figure out how many sticks of dynamite are
required. You start with the 1st and 2nd floors. There are 32 columns on each
floor, and each column will have 5 pieces of dynamite.
32
x 5 = 160
160 x 2 = 320
Next, you figure out how
much dynamite is required for the 4th and 6th floors. Each of the 32 columns
on these floors will have 3 pieces of dynamite.
32 x 3
= 96
96 x 2 = 192
The total number of dynamite sticks
required to do the job is 320 + 192 = 512.
You
know each stick of dynamite weighs 1/3 of a pound.
512
x 1/3
512 / 3 = 170.7
You need 170.7 pounds of dynamite.
Building
demolition experts obviously need basic math skills to handle implosions.
But they also use math when doing regular demolition jobs.
Mike Taylor
used to run his own demolition company. "You need math when you're estimating
a job," he says. "For example, if you're removing lead pipe or asbestos,
you need to figure out the square footage of how much material you're
going to remove. The money you're going to make will come from those
numbers."