Rational Numbers

Project by: Wesley Sorenson

Physicians use rational numbers when they give nutritional support to a patient intravenously.

Physician

A physician needs to multiply a patents ideal body weight in kilograms times the factor of twenty five to thirty. That gives him the total number of kilocalories the patient needs per day. Then he needs to calculate the amount of protein, carbohydrates and fat the patient needs to provide these calories.

Real world question

Fat provides 9 kilocalories per gram, protein provides 4 kilocalories per gram and carbohydrates provides 3.5 kilocalories per gram. . Fat should make up 20 percent of calories, proteins and carbohydrates need to provide 40 percent each.

So if the patient is 54 years old and is sick, and he weighs 100 kilograms, he would need about 3000 kilocalories per day. After adding and multiplying and dividing, the patient would need:

Protein: 800 kcal/200gFat: 630 kcal/70gCho: 1500 kcal/450g

Physicians use this everyday to help their patients using these steps, which use rational numbers. Rational numbers are a big part of their career.

By: Wesley Sorenson

Rational Numbers Project