Preface

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There are a number of ways to solve waterworks mathematics problems. Many water operators look for short cuts in numbers like 448.8, 0.646, and 1440. However, understanding the process you take to get the answer is the key to “knowing” what you are doing versus “memorizing” what you are doing. There are certainly several useful numbers you can put to memory to make solving many of these problems easier, but knowing why you are using a specific “conversion factor” (number) is truly the key to your comprehension. This text is designed to provide you with basic knowledge and background of elementary mathematical problems and an understanding of typical entry-level and intermediate mathematical problems in the waterworks field.

Many of you will be preparing for a state-certified exam. This class will help you in your preparation for beginning distribution and treatment exams. However, this is not a “review” course for these exams. This text is designed to help you understand how to solve water-related mathematics problems. However, in preparation for a state or any exam, there are a number of things you should know.

Test-taking Tips

Use a non-programmable calculator. The state exams do not allow programmable calculators and you should get used to one calculator.
Have several sharpened pencils
Take your time and verify your answers. This is especially helpful with mathematics questions.
Eliminate as many answers as possible in multiple-choice problems. Statistically your chances of getting the answer correct become better.
Do not over-prepare the morning before the state exam. If you don’t know the material the day of the exam, you probably won’t know it by the time the exam starts.
Get a good night's sleep the night before an exam
Get to the exam site early. It is better to be early than late and risk the chance of being locked out of the exam.

Acronyms and Units of Measure

Acronyms
feet	ft
inches	in
yard	yd
mile	mi
square feet	sq.ft or ft²
square inches	sq.in or in²
acre	ac
acre-feet	af
gallons	gal
cubic feet	cf or ft
liters	L
milliliters	mL
million gallons	MG
pounds	lbs
million gallons per day	MGD
cubic feet per second	cfs
gallons per minute	gpm

Linear
1 foot	12 inches
1 yard	3 feet
1 mile	5,280 feet

Area
1 square foot (sq.ft or ft²)	144 square inches (sq.in or in²)
1 acre (ac)	43,560 ft²

Volume
1 cubic foot (cf or ft³)	7.48 gallon (gal)
1 cubic yard (yd³)	27 cubic feet (cf)
1 gallon	3.785 liters (L)
1 liter (L)	1,000 milliliters (mL)
1 acre-foot (af)	325,829 gallons
1 million-gallon (MG)	1,000,000 gallons

Weight
1 cf of water	62.4 pounds (lbs)
1 gallon of water	8.34 pounds
1 ton	2,000 pounds

Short Cuts (NOT ADVISED)
1 MGD	1.547 cfs
1 cfs	0.646 MGD
1 cfs	646,272 gpd
1 MGD	694.44 gpm
1 cfs	448.8 gpm
1 day	1,440 minutes

And a whole bunch more!