Mathematics in Our World, Assessment Example

There is currently a considerable interest among people to be health-conscious especially in what they eat. Thus, people usually try to look for labels that indicate that a particular food is healthy, such as that it has low fat content or is fat-free. However as shown by the article, “Are you sure it’s fat free?” food companies may be misleading consumers on the amount of fat that they actually consume. Using the correct formula provided in the article, the fat and protein contents of three packaged foods, these are Oscar Meyer wieners, canned macaroni and cheese, and frozen burrito dinner.

An OM wiener has 270 calories, 14 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein. Using the formula, the percentage of fat and protein in a serving of OM wiener is computed as follows:

Fat

14 x 9 = 153

153/270 x 100% = 56.67%

Protein

5 x 4 = 20

20/270 x 100% = 7.41%

A can of macaroni and cheese has 254 calories, 6 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein. Computations are as follows:

Fat

6 x 9 = 54

54/254 x 100% = 21.26%

Protein

8 x 4 = 32

32/254 x 100% = 12.60%

A frozen burrito dinner has 380 calories, 10 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein. Computations are as follows:

Fat

10 x 9 = 90

90/380 x 100% = 23.68%

Protein

9 x 4 = 36

36/380 = 9.47%

Based on the results, it was confirmed that packaged food products do present misleading information that make consumers think that a product has less fat than it actual has. This exercise has taught the value of understanding how to use mathematical formulas to solve real-life concerns.