This discussion focuses on calculating the percentage difference in potassium content between dandelions and lettuce, specifically 231 mg in dandelions versus 93 mg in lettuce. The correct calculations are (231-93)/93 = 148.39% more potassium in dandelions relative to lettuce, and (231-93)/231 = 59.74% more potassium in dandelions relative to itself. The confusion arises from the need to clarify the reference point for percentage calculations. It is essential to determine whether the comparison is made relative to the amount in lettuce or dandelions.
PREREQUISITESStudents, nutritionists, dietitians, and anyone interested in understanding nutritional comparisons between different food sources.
gerben said:(1) How much more is there in dandelion than in lettuce?
Answer: (amount in dandelion) - (amount in lettuce)
(2) What percentage is this of the amount of potassium in ...
gerben said:I left the... to make clear you still had to decide whether you want to know either A or B:
A: (how much more (%wise) is there of potassium in dandelions than in lettuce) relative to the amount in lettuce.
B: (how much more (%wise) is there of potassium in dandelions than in lettuce) relative to the amount in dandelion.
In a way, you're comparing apples to oranges here. The only way you can compare percentages of potassium in dandelions and lettuce is to compare quantities that are comparable. You say there are 231 mg of potassium (K) in a dandelion. How big a serving of lettuce contains the 93 mg of K? Unless otherwise stated you should be comparing one dandelion with an amount of lettuce of about the same weight.lha08 said:So I'm drawing a complete blank on how to figure out some easy math...like given that there is 231 mg of potassium in a dandelion and 93 mg of potassium in lettuce, how much more (%wise) is there of potassium in dandelions...