An irrigation system delivers liters of water in minutes through identical nozzles operating at the same time. Each nozzle receives an equal share of the water flow. A nutrient injector adds 3 cubic centimeters of nutrient solution for every 250 cubic centimeters of water delivered through each nozzle. If these rates remain constant, which expression represents the number of cubic centimeters of nutrient solution added through one nozzle in hours?
Use liter cubic centimeters.
For a multi-stage rate problem, track the units in a logical order. Start with the given rate, convert the time unit, divide or multiply according to whether the quantity is shared or combined, convert measurement units, and then apply any final ratio. This approach makes it easier to see whether each factor should be multiplied or divided.
Hints
Begin with the system's rate
Write the water flow rate for all the nozzles together in liters per minute.
Account for time and nozzles
Convert hours to minutes, then remember that one nozzle receives only an equal fraction of the total flow.
Use the nutrient ratio
The injector adds 3 cubic centimeters of nutrient solution per 250 cubic centimeters of water, so multiply the water amount by .
Desmos Guide
Use algebra first
Algebra is faster here because the quantities are variables. Desmos can be used to check the unit-rate calculation with convenient positive values.
Enter a test calculation
Set , , , and . Enter r/m*60*k*1000/n*3/250 to calculate the nutrient amount from the situation.
Compare the choices
Enter each answer-choice expression using the same values. Compare each resulting value with the value from the situation; only one choice matches.
Select the matching expression
The matching expression is , so the answer is choice D.
Step-by-step Explanation
Find the water delivered by one nozzle
The system delivers water at a rate of liters per minute. In hours, there are minutes, and one nozzle receives of the total water flow.
Convert the water amount to nutrient solution
Convert liters to cubic centimeters by multiplying by . Then use the nutrient ratio: for each cubic centimeter of water, the nutrient amount is cubic centimeter. Thus, multiply the one-nozzle water amount by .
Simplify and choose the expression
The numerical factor is . Therefore, the nutrient solution added through one nozzle is , which is choice D.