Real-Life Math
You are working at a logging camp. You are cutting fallen trees
to length so that they can be put on a logging truck and hauled to the mill.
"Tree
planters use little math when they are out in the field," says Yolanda Wolters.
She is a worker at a reforestation company. "They may keep track of their
bundles of trees and hours it takes to plant them."
The amount of math
used in forestry depends on the type of work done. For example, at the logging
block, math is used to measure and cut trees, to keep track of log loads,
and to track the types of trees.
Currently, you are cutting a fir tree
to length. You measure the tree and find that it has 100 feet of usable timber.
You want to cut it into 32-foot lengths. For every piece you cut, you will
have to leave 1 foot extra as an allowance for trimming the tree. (This means
that a 32-foot length will actually be a 33-foot length).
1. How many
32-foot lengths can you get out of this tree?
The loader piles 40 logs
that are 33 feet long (this includes the extra foot for trimming) on to the
logging truck. He also piles 5 short logs that measure 15 feet, 14 feet, 10
feet, 26 feet and 18 feet.
2. What is the total linear
footage of the entire load?