Chapter 9.1, Problem 5EE

Finding BMI Using a Nomograph Most medical professionals use a nomograph (or nomogram) to calculate the BMI of their patients.

A nomograph is a diagram that shows the relationships among three or more quantities by means of scales that are arranged such that the value of one variable can befound by drawing a straight line from one scale intersecting the other scales at appropriate values. You can download a BMI nomograph from the Internet. One goodsource is www.pynomo.org/wiki/images1b/b4/Ex_BMI.png. On the nomograph onthe next page, the line connecting a height of $5.9$ ft and a weight of 150 lb intersectsthe BMI scale at $21$, indicating that a $5.9$-foot, 150-pound person has a BMI of $21$.

a. Use the nomograph to calculate Amy’s BMI (see Excursion Exercise 1). Comparethe results you obtained by using the nomograph with the value you obtained byusing a calculator.

b. Use the nomograph to calculate how much Roger should weigh in order tohave a BMI of $25$ (see Excursion Exercise 2). How does the result you obtained by using the nomograph compare with the value you obtained by using acalculator?

c. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a nomograph to calculateBMI.