Question

A client weighed 186.4 lb before getting sick. After a lengthy recovery period, the client weighed 167.6 lb. How much weight did the client lose? ______

Short answer

The client lost 18.8 lb.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Initial Weight

The initial weight of the client before getting sick was 186.4 lb. This is our starting point for calculating weight loss.

Identify the Final Weight

The final weight of the client after the recovery period was 167.6 lb. This represents the weight at the end of the period we are considering.

Calculate Weight Loss

To find out how much weight the client lost, subtract the final weight from the initial weight: \[ \text{Weight lost} = 186.4 \text{ lb} - 167.6 \text{ lb} \] Calculate this difference to find the weight loss.

Perform the Calculation

Subtract 167.6 lb from 186.4 lb:\[ 186.4 - 167.6 = 18.8 \] The client lost 18.8 lb.

Key concepts

Initial Weight

Understanding the initial weight is crucial for any weight-related calculations. In most scenarios, such as tracking weight loss or gain, we consider the initial weight as the starting point.
For example, in the exercise we are considering, the initial weight of the client was 186.4 lb. This was the weight before they fell ill.
Knowing this initial weight allows us to measure the total change over a period, whether due to illness, diet, exercise, or other factors. It's like the baseline from which everything else is compared. Therefore, always write down or remember the initial weight first when you want to find out how much weight has been lost or gained.

Final Weight

After a specific period, be it after recovery from illness or after a workout plan, the final weight is observed. This weight tells us how much the client's body weight has changed during this period.
In this case, the client weighed 167.6 lb after recovery. It is essential to note this down as a reference point.
The final weight serves as the end marker in weight-related calculations. By comparing it with the initial weight, we can understand the total amount of weight that was lost or gained over the given time frame.
The final weight tells us where the journey ends just like the initial weight tells us where it started.

Weight Loss Calculation

The primary focus in many weight-related exercises is the weight loss calculation, particularly if you're monitoring your health journey.
The calculation involves a straightforward subtraction method.To determine how much weight the client lost, subtract the final weight (167.6 lb) from the initial weight (186.4 lb). Here is the formula: \[ \text{Weight lost} = \text{Initial weight} - \text{Final weight} \]For the client, it means:

• Initial weight: 186.4 lb
• Final weight: 167.6 lb

Performing the subtraction gives us: \( 186.4 - 167.6 = 18.8 \)This tells us that the client lost 18.8 lb during their recovery period.
Understanding this simple yet effective calculation can help track and manage weight over time.