In a quantitative reasoning course, the design of the course is to regularly provide you with new problems and ask you to figure them out. In that process, you should think critically, do calculations correctly, and communicate your findings effectively.

For the problems below, explain your thinking clearly and use mathematics to help you answer each question.

PROBLEM 1

1. Instead of leaving the water running, suppose someone decided to turn off the water while they brushed their teeth. Would that savings be enough water for the average person to drink in a year? Make a quick prediction! This question is to get you thinking - no serious calculations, yet.
2. The average flow rate for a faucet is between 1.0 and 1.5 gallons per minute. In a day, how many gallons of water could someone save by turning off the water while brushing their teeth? Explain your thinking for how you determined this amount.
3. Using your answer from part b), how many gallons could someone save in a year?
4. In a day, how much water does the average person drink? Let's hear your best estimate in terms of gallons. Explain your thinking.
5. Using your answer from part d), how many gallons does the average person drink in a year? Show your calculations.
6. Now, looking back at your work, would turning off the water while brushing your teeth save enough water for you to drink in a year? Was your prediction correct?

PROBLEM 2

1. Chicago has a population of about 2,700,000 residents. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes each day, twice per day. If every resident followed this recommendation, how many gallons of water could the city save in just one day? Be sure to explain your thinking and show your calculations.
2. How much water could the city save in a year?
3. Try putting this amount of water into perspective and find something that holds close to that amount of water. (Hint: Probably not your backyard pool.)