Water and wastewater · Worked step by step
How do you turn 720,000 GPD into MGD?
If math has never been your thing, you are in the right place. Try it on paper first, then we write it out with you, one small step at a time, and explain every step in plain words so you never lose the thread.
The problem
A plant treats 720,000 gallons per day. What is that flow in MGD (million gallons a day)?
Grab a pen and paper first
Give it a real try on paper before you watch. If you get stuck, take a hint. If you go blank, that is fine, press play and we will walk it through together.
Watch it solved, with you
Every step is written out slowly and explained in plain words, so you always know what just happened. Nobody skips ahead and leaves you behind.
Press play and I’ll write it out with you, one small step at a time.
Every step gets a plain-words explanation here, so you always know exactly what just happened and why.
The written version, step by step
- 1
Know what MGD means
1 MGD = 1,000,000 GPD
- MGD is short for million gallons a day.
- So 1 MGD is 1,000,000 gallons a day.
- We have 720,000, which is less than a million.
Quick trick: If the GPD is under a million, the MGD will be less than 1.
- 2
Divide by a million
MGD = 720,000 ÷ 1,000,000 • MGD = 0.72
- Divide 720,000 by 1,000,000.
- That slides the decimal 6 places left.
- 720,000 becomes 0.72 MGD.
Quick trick: Count six zeros back from the end of 720,000 and drop the decimal there: 0.72.
Remember this for good
MGD is millions of gallons a day, so GPD to MGD means divide by 1,000,000 (slide the decimal 6 places left).
M is for million. To go from plain gallons a day to MGD, chop off six zeros, or slide the decimal point six spots to the left.
Solve it fast next time
- GPD to MGD: divide by 1,000,000 (decimal 6 places left).
- MGD to GPD: multiply by 1,000,000 (decimal 6 places right).
- 720,000 becomes 0.72, since it is less than a million.
The answer: 0.72 MGD.