Recycling Center A processes aluminum at a rate of 100 pounds per hour, while Recycling Center B processes aluminum at a rate of 2 tons per week. Assuming that both centers operate all day every day, which center processes aluminum faster, and why?

Question

Recycling Center A processes aluminum faster; Recycling Center B’s rate is about 12 pounds per hour.
Recycling Center A processes aluminum faster; Recycling Center B’s rate is about 24 pounds per hour.
Recycling Center B processes aluminum faster; its rate is about 120 pounds per hour.
Recycling Center B processes aluminum faster; its rate is about 240 pounds per hour.

Answer 1

To determine which recycling center processes aluminum faster, we need to compare their rates in the same unit of measurement.

Recycling Center A processes aluminum at a rate of 100 pounds per hour.

Recycling Center B processes aluminum at a rate of 2 tons per week. We need to convert this to pounds per hour:

1. There are 2000 pounds in a ton.
2. Therefore, 2 tons = 2 * 2000 = 4000 pounds.
3. There are 7 days in a week, so to find the rate per hour, we divide by the total hours in a week:
   • Total hours in a week = 7 days * 24 hours/day = 168 hours.
   • Rate for Center B = 4000 pounds / 168 hours ≈ 23.81 pounds/hour.

Now, we can compare the rates:

• Recycling Center A: 100 pounds/hour
• Recycling Center B: ≈ 23.81 pounds/hour

From this comparison, it's clear that Recycling Center A processes aluminum faster than Recycling Center B because 100 pounds/hour > 23.81 pounds/hour.

The correct answer is: Recycling Center A processes aluminum faster; Recycling Center B’s rate is about 24 pounds per hour.