Syncrude Applied Math (SAM) / Workplace Applied Math (WAM)

The four themes of the SAM/WAM program are:

1. Numbers and Number Sense: fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios rate and proportions.

Workplace examples include:

1. calculations of number of barrels of bitumen per year given barrels per day;
2. number of people needed to do a specific task if one person can do the task in a specified number of hours.

2. Measurement/Geometry: imperial and metric measurement and conversions between the two as well as geometry

Workplace examples include:

1. metric to imperial conversions
2. division of a pipe into two pieces of specified length, how much is left over after the cutting;
3. Length of conduit needed given angles of the path it will travel

3. Graphing and Statistics:

Workplace examples include:

1. Reading graphs to assess the number of barrels of oil produced in a certain year
2. Reading projected increases in manpower needed.

4. Introduction to algebra: solving equations, transpositions of formulas and signed fractions and decimals

Practice Question 1

The idea for this question came from the Syncrude Central Machine Shop. It is a daily workplace task. The question itself comes from the numbers and number sense unit and focuses on percentage application.

A CMS machinist is to allow a 1.5% tolerance on a shaft 18 feet in length. How much tolerance is allowed? Give answer in inches.