[GRLUG] Math Question

[Philip J Robar]

On Nov 4, 2009, at 8:48 AM, Adam Tauno Williams wrote:

> So maybe a bit off topic, but I know we have people here you love to
> argue about such things.
>
> I have three types of equipment: X, Y, & Z.
> Given $1.00 I know that in a year a single type X will typically  
> consume
> 14% of that $1, type Y 30%, and type Z 56%.  So if I have x Xs, y Ys,
> and z Zs how do I calculate what percentage of the maintenance  
> budget of
> N will typically be consumed by type X, Y, and Z?


More complex problems of this nature, where you're trying to optimize  
the mix of components in order to minimize/maximize a particular  
outcome fall into the category of finite math. Any decent community  
college will offer a class in finite math. Solving such problems is  
quite straight forward, if somewhat tedious when done by hand.

What is Finite Math: "Finite Math" is a catch-all title for a  
collection of topics that are anything but calculus. The purpose of  
the course is to give a survey of mathematical analysis techniques  
used in the working world, but you might also say that this course  
gives valuable experience at organizing information and then analyzing  
it. In a larger sense, it's also another way we use math to give  
people experience at analytical thinking. Business, accounting and  
computer majors tend to take this course, or are required to by their  
program.

Phil

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