Re: [MATHEDCC] the "potato salad problem" -- reality check

Rich France (rfrance@MARAUDER.MILLERSV.EDU)
Thu, 10 Apr 1997 12:38:02 -0400 (EDT)

At supermarkets in my area, the scales are set to reflect the weight of
packaging. That is, the packaging is weighed and the scale is set to 0
with the packaging on the scale. Thereafter, the scale reading reflects
the weight of the package contents. Now I'm sure not all do this.

On Thu, 10 Apr 1997, Roberta S. Lacefield wrote:

> >>
> >Another way in which we are being "charged" for 'non-merchandise' (noticed
> >by my dad, an effeciency expert) is when meat is packaged it is weighed
> >AFTER it is packaged, so we are paying price per pound for the paper tray
> >and plastic wrapping. An interesting question, to which I have no idea of
> >the answer, would be: Which costs the store more, ground beef or the
> >packaging it comes in? (If it is the packaging, which I seriously doubt, we
> >are getting a deal!!)
> >
>
> Hmm. I see the potential for a nice percentage problem here! I don't think
> it is obvious to my DS students (not much is :-) that if they buy less meat,
> a higher percentage of their dollar goes toward paying for their package.
> Also, two packages would cost more per pound of meat than one with the same
> weight. Ah, the places a little spoiled potato salad can take us!
>
> Roberta
>
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