Real-Life Math
You're a world-renowned mold consultant. You work in large buildings in many different countries.
This morning, you were called by a hospital that suspects it may have mold growing in its ventilation system. Armed with your best equipment, you head for the hospital.
"Dealing with numbers is important in science," says Mark Sneller. He is a microbiologist and mold consultant.
He says math skills are needed when working as a mold consultant. "I'm not just talking about advanced calculus," he says. "You need to be able to convert figures and need the basics: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. These basic skills will become strong as you go along in your education."
At the hospital, you inspect for mold, and also measure the amount of spores in each of the rooms. Spore counts are taken from the air and are measured by volume.
The average level for mold is 190 spores per cubic meter. If the levels in the rooms are more than 15 percent above that, you must evacuate the rooms.
In room A you find:
210 spores per cubic meter
In room B you find:
230 spores per cubic meter
Do you have to evacuate either room?