Calculating the Cost of Potatoes per Kilogram: A Simple Math Problem

When it comes to buying groceries, understanding how to calculate the cost per unit is a valuable skill. This is especially important when dealing with bulk items like potatoes, where the weight and price relationship can significantly impact the overall cost. In this article, we will walk through a simple example to help you understand how to calculate the cost per kilogram of potatoes, using the given problem: a 50-kilogram sack of potatoes costs Rs 2,100. Let's break this down step by step.

Understanding the Problem

The given problem states that a sack of potatoes weighing 50 kilograms costs Rs 2,100. The challenge is to determine the cost of 5 kilograms of potatoes. This requires us to find the cost per kilogram and then use that to find the cost of 5 kilograms.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Calculate the Cost per Kilogram

First, we need to find the cost per kilogram. We do this by dividing the total cost by the total weight:

Cost per kg Total cost / Total weight

In this problem:

Cost per kg Rs 2100 / 50 kg Rs 42 per kg

Step 2: Calculate the Cost of 5 Kilograms

Now that we know the cost per kilogram (Rs 42), we can easily find the cost of 5 kilograms by multiplying the cost per kilogram by 5:

Cost of 5 kg Cost per kg × 5

Cost of 5 kg Rs 42 × 5 Rs 210

Alternative Method for Verification

Another method to verify the answer is to consider the proportion of the weight. If 50 kg costs Rs 2,100, then 1 kg would cost Rs 42. Therefore, 5 kg would cost 5 times Rs 42:

Cost of 5 kg 5 × Rs 42 Rs 210

Alternatively, if you divide the kilogram by 10, you would divide the price by 10, and then multiply by 5 to get the cost of 5 kg:

Cost of 5 kg (Rs 2,100 / 10) × 5 Rs 210

This method helps verify that the cost of 5 kilograms is indeed Rs 210, confirming our initial calculation.

Conclusion

Understanding how to calculate the cost per kilogram is crucial for making informed decisions when purchasing bulk items. In the case of the 50 kilograms of potatoes at Rs 2,100, the cost per kilogram is Rs 42, making 5 kilograms cost Rs 210. This simple math problem demonstrates the importance of breaking down the units to understand the true cost per unit.

For further reading and practice, explore more related grocery price calculation problems, and always double-check your calculations to ensure accuracy.