cross-posted from: https://lemmy.today/post/9963785

Hi,

I’ve found on Wikipedia the following formula to calculate the BMR estimation

We can read just after the formula:

According to this formula, the woman in the example above has a BMR of 1,204 kilocalories (5,040 kJ) per day.

But when I take their example of a 55-year-old woman weighing 130 pounds (59 kg) and 66 inches (170 cm)

and do ((10*55)+(6,25*170)-(5*55))-161 I get 1,217 and not 1,204

Am I doing something wrong ?

Thanks.

  • 7heo@lemmy.ml
    1·
    8 months ago

    ((10 × 55) + (6.25 × 170) − (5 × 55)) − 161 = 1176.5

    ((10 × 59) + (6.25 × 170) − (5 × 55)) − 161 = 1216.5

    ((10 × 59) + (6.25 × 168) − (5 × 55)) − 161 = 1204

    66 “inches” is 167.64 cm. Maybe, at some point, let’s stop using bullshit units. People are bad enough already at math without that…

  • canonicalisomorphism@mathstodon.xyz
    1·
    8 months ago

    @L4r4
    This is why, when you convert units, to be aware of the significant digits you rounded off. If you round off digits in intermediate steps, then the final result can end up slightly off. If you want to be safe, use fractions or exact values in everything, or use 10 significant digits for intermediate steps at all times.