- Will th e inform ation you n e e d to find have units of m easure? If so, w hat do you
th in k those u n its will be?
Step 2 Formulate a plan to solve the problem. - W hat units n e e d to be converted to solve th e problem?
- How do you know w hich conversion factors to use to solve th e problem?
Step 3 Solve the problem. - Use u n it analysis to find w h at you d escribed in Step 1.
- Is the claim reasonable? Explain.
Step 4 Check your solution. - Are th e units of your solution w hat you expected? Explain.
- Does your answ er m ake sense? Explain.
Ex e r c i se s
- The units m i/h an d c m /s are units of d istan ce/tim e. W hat do th ese u n its m easure?
- How can you use u n it analysis to h elp you solve a problem?
Use unit analysis to help you solve each problem. - A p o p u lar racetrack is 2.5 m iles long. A race is com pleted in 150 laps. O ne year,
th e w in n e r’s average speed was 161 m iles p e r hour. D uring cautionary lap runs,
th e speed was only ab o u t 80 m iles p e r hour. If th e race h a d 30 cautionary laps,
a b o u t how long did it take th e w in n er to com plete th e race?
0 2 2. E rro r A n alysis Your gas tan k holds 13.5 gallons of gas. Your fuel gauge shows th at
your tan k is one q u a rte r full. Your car gets an average of 25 m iles p er gallon. The
GPS shows th at you are 85 m iles from your destination. Your b ro th er says you will
m ake it. Is h e correct? Use u n it analysis to justify your response.
52^ 23. Chemistry A m etal b ar in th e sh ap e of a rectangular p rism w ith dim ensions
6 cm X 8 cm X 2 cm h as a m ass of 53 g. The density of th e m etal is expressed in
units of g/cm 3. Use w hat you have learn ed ab o u t u n it analysis to find the density
of th e m etal.
- According to the directions, a 12-ounce can of lem o n ad e concentrate m akes 64
ounces of lem onade. If each serving is 8 ounces, how m any 12-ounce cans of
concentrate are n e e d e d to m ake 120 servings?
c
PowerAIgebra.com | Co n ce p t By t e Unit Analysis _ _ 1 2 3