Wastewater Operator Pennsylvania — Lesson 10: Operator Math Problems

Vocabulary flashcards covering core formulas, flow unit conversions, percentage equations, and the five-step problem-solving method from Lesson 10 of the Pennsylvania Wastewater Operator training.

Five-Step Method for Word Problems

A systematic problem-solving procedure consisting of: 1. Identify the question, 2. Record information, 3. Choose a formula, 4. Calculate step-by-step, and 5. Check the answer.

Total Volume ($V$)

A calculation of liquid quantity determined by the formula $\text{Flow rate} \times \text{Time}$ ($Q \times T$).

Flow Rate ($Q$)

The volume of fluid moving per unit of time, calculated as $\text{Volume} \div \text{Time}$ ($V \div T$).

Time ($T$)

The time duration required to move a given volume at a specific flow rate, calculated as $\text{Volume} \div \text{Flow rate}$ ($V \div Q$).

MGD

Million Gallons per Day, a flow rate unit equivalent to $1{,}000{,}000\,\text{GPD}$.

GPD to MGD Conversion Rule

To convert Gallons Per Day (GPD) to Million Gallons per Day (MGD), divide by $1{,}000{,}000$.

MGD to GPD Conversion Rule

To convert Million Gallons per Day (MGD) to Gallons Per Day (GPD), multiply by $1{,}000{,}000$.

GPM to GPH Conversion Rule

To convert Gallons Per Minute (GPM) to Gallons Per Hour (GPH), multiply by $60$.

GPH to GPM Conversion Rule

To convert Gallons Per Hour (GPH) to Gallons Per Minute (GPM), divide by $60$.

Part Formula

A percentage calculation formula defined as $\text{Part} = \left(\frac{\text{Percentage}}{100}\right) \times \text{Total}$.

Removal Percentage Formula

A formula for calculating treatment or pollutant reduction efficiency, given by $\text{Removal \%} = \left(\frac{\text{Initial} - \text{Final}}{\text{Initial}}\right) \times 100$.

Remaining Percentage Formula

A formula for calculating the proportion left after treatment, given by $\text{Remaining \%} = \left(\frac{\text{Final}}{\text{Initial}}\right) \times 100$.