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Preface

  • Page ID
    7080
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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

    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!

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