Mudslide Crisis: Rationing Supplies In Piura

Hey everyone, let's dive into a real-world math problem stemming from a tough situation in Piura, Peru. We're talking about a town, let's call it Town A, that's been hit hard by mudslides. These kinds of natural disasters can be devastating, leaving communities isolated and in dire need of assistance. This problem gives us a glimpse into the logistical challenges and resource management required during such emergencies. So, grab your calculators (or your brainpower!) and let's figure this out together. This is a classic example of how understanding basic math principles, like proportions and resource allocation, can help us analyze and address real-world problems. We'll be focusing on how to calculate how long the existing supplies will last when shared between two towns. It's not just about crunching numbers; it's about understanding the practical implications of resource scarcity and the importance of helping those in need. Let's get started and see how we can solve this together!

The Problem: A Town Isolated and in Need

Town A, with a population of a whopping 160,000 people, is completely cut off due to the mudslides. They're in a tough spot, and to make matters worse, they only have enough food to last for 24 days. The supply is based on providing three rations per person, per day. That's a lot of mouths to feed, and every bite counts when you're facing a crisis! This situation highlights the critical importance of having a plan in place for emergencies, whether it's ensuring enough food, water, or medical supplies. It also brings into sharp focus the need for efficient distribution and the impact of sharing resources. Think about the logistics involved in getting food to 160,000 people under normal circumstances – now imagine the challenge when everything is disrupted. The problem is a great way to think about how we can help in situations like this and how important it is to be prepared. But what happens when another town needs help?

Town A decides to help Town B, a smaller community with a population of 2,000, which has no supplies whatsoever. Now, Town A is not just responsible for its own people; it's also taking on the responsibility of feeding an additional 2,000 individuals. This sharing of resources introduces a new layer of complexity to the problem. The question becomes: how long will the available food last if they decide to share? It is a great question to ask because it tests your ability to think critically and apply mathematical principles to solve complex problems. Let's break down the problem step-by-step and calculate the lifespan of their supplies. In this instance, we will need to calculate the total food supply that Town A has. After that, we must take into consideration the new population number. With this in mind, we can calculate how long the food supplies will last for both towns.

Step 1: Calculate Total Rations in Town A

Okay, guys, let's get into the nitty-gritty. First things first, we need to figure out the total number of rations available in Town A. They have enough food for 24 days, and each person gets 3 rations per day. The formula for the total rations is as follows:

Total Rations = (Number of People) x (Rations per Day per Person) x (Number of Days)

So, for Town A, that's:

Total Rations = 160,000 people x 3 rations/person/day x 24 days Total Rations = 11,520,000 rations

That's a lot of rations! This calculation gives us a baseline of how much food is currently available. This is crucial as it informs how long the food will last when shared with Town B. Remember, this number represents the total amount of food available to both towns. Calculating the total number of rations allows us to understand the scope of the problem and the urgency of the situation.

Step 2: Calculate the Combined Population

Now that we know the total rations available, the next step is to calculate the combined population. This is pretty straightforward: we simply add the population of Town A and Town B.

Combined Population = Population of Town A + Population of Town B Combined Population = 160,000 + 2,000 Combined Population = 162,000 people

With this information, we know the size of the population that will be sharing the food. This is an important calculation as it will dictate how long the supplies last.

Step 3: Calculate the Number of Days the Supplies Will Last

Here comes the final calculation! We know the total rations and the combined population, so we can figure out how many days the food will last with the following formula:

Days = Total Rations / (Combined Population x Rations per Day per Person)

Let's plug in the numbers:

Days = 11,520,000 rations / (162,000 people x 3 rations/person/day) Days = 11,520,000 / 486,000 Days ≈ 23.6 days

So, if Town A shares its food with Town B, the supplies will last approximately 23.6 days. This is great to know because it will allow both towns to prepare for aid and assistance in a faster manner. In a real-world scenario, this information would be critical for disaster relief organizations. They could use this information to determine how quickly they need to get more supplies to the area. Furthermore, the information could be used for other services that the towns may need. This result clearly shows how essential it is to have an understanding of the available resources during a crisis and how they should be distributed to ensure everyone gets what they need. Now, we are able to see that, even with the addition of Town B, the supply will not drastically decrease.

Conclusion: The Impact of Resource Sharing

So, there you have it! By sharing their supplies, the food will last approximately 23.6 days. While the inclusion of Town B slightly reduces the duration of food availability, the impact is minimal compared to the overall benefit of helping those in need. This problem shows us the importance of making sure people can survive during a disaster. Understanding basic math principles and resource allocation is key to navigating the challenges presented by these kinds of events. This scenario highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the spirit of community. Remember, in times of crisis, every calculation and every shared resource makes a difference.

I hope this helped. Feel free to ask more questions!