Leak Calculation: Converting Daily Leakage to Weekly Gallons

Why does this sound like a homework problem?

Have you ever encountered a problem that seemed straightforward but required a bit more thought to solve? This article aims to walk you through the process of converting daily pipe leakage from cups per day to gallons per week, using a practical example.

Understanding the Problem

The statement mentions that a pipe is leaking at a rate of 1.5 cups per day. To find out how much water is leaking in a week, you need to consider the standard conversion factors used in the United States:

Step-by-Step Calculation

Let's break down the problem into manageable steps to convert 1.5 cups per day into gallons per week:

Step 1: Convert cups to ounces

1.5 cups 1.5 × 8 ounces 12 ounces

Step 2: Convert daily ounces to weekly ounces

12 ounces per day × 7 days per week 84 ounces per week

Step 3: Convert weekly ounces to gallons

128 ounces 1 gallon

84 ounces 84 ÷ 128 ≈ 0.656 gallons

Therefore, your pipe is leaking approximately 0.66 gallons per week (rounded to two decimal places).

Common Conversion Factors

Understanding these conversion factors can help you solve similar problems more efficiently:

Conclusion

While the problem might seem like a homework assignment, it's important to understand the logical steps involved in solving it. Whether you're calculating leakage rates, fuel consumption, or other daily-to-weekly conversions, mastering these basic conversion factors can make your work easier and more accurate.

Remember, the key to solving such problems is careful calculation and an understanding of the conversion factors. If it's homework, showing your work is crucial for demonstrating your understanding.