A product label calls for 18 ounces of product per 1,000 square feet delivered in 1 to 2 gallons of water. During your first calibration test, you used 20 ounces of water to treat 200 square feet. Is the sprayer calibrated to deliver this product as directed?

A product label calls for 18 ounces of product per 1,000 square feet delivered in 1 to 2 gallons of water. During your first calibration test, you used 20 ounces of water to treat 200 square feet. Is the sprayer calibrated to deliver this product as directed?

• A. Yes
• B. No, it’s short by about 20%
• C. No, it’s long by about 20%
• D. Not enough information

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a label specifies both how much product and how much water to use per area, and a proper calibration must meet that water rate for the given square footage. For 200 square feet, the label’s water range translates to 0.2 to 0.4 gallons (which is 25.6 to 51.2 ounces). You used 20 ounces of water, which is about 0.156 gallons—roughly 21–22% below the minimum recommended amount. Because the water quantity is short, the sprayer isn’t delivering the product as directed over that area. In other words, the calibration is off by about 20%, so the sprayer isn’t properly calibrated to the label’s specified delivery.

The main idea is that a label specifies both how much product and how much water to use per area, and a proper calibration must meet that water rate for the given square footage. For 200 square feet, the label’s water range translates to 0.2 to 0.4 gallons (which is 25.6 to 51.2 ounces). You used 20 ounces of water, which is about 0.156 gallons—roughly 21–22% below the minimum recommended amount. Because the water quantity is short, the sprayer isn’t delivering the product as directed over that area. In other words, the calibration is off by about 20%, so the sprayer isn’t properly calibrated to the label’s specified delivery.