When performing Pearson's Square, which operation is performed on the diagonal to compute the 'parts'?

When performing Pearson's Square, which operation is performed on the diagonal to compute the 'parts'?

• A. Subtract the nutrient value from the requirement on the diagonal.
• B. Add the nutrient values on the right side.
• C. Multiply the left values.
• D. Divide the middle value.

Answer: (A)

Pearson's Square determines how much of each ingredient to mix by using how far each ingredient's nutrient value lies from the target level. The two "parts" come from differences between the diagonal value (the required nutrient level) and each ingredient's value. In other words, you subtract the nutrient value from the diagonal value to get the numbers that go in the right-hand side of the square. The larger the difference, the larger the portion of that ingredient in the final mix. For example, if the target is 30 and the two ingredients have 50 and 20, the differences are 50 − 30 = 20 and 30 − 20 = 10, giving a 2:1 ratio of the first to the second.

Pearson's Square determines how much of each ingredient to mix by using how far each ingredient's nutrient value lies from the target level. The two "parts" come from differences between the diagonal value (the required nutrient level) and each ingredient's value. In other words, you subtract the nutrient value from the diagonal value to get the numbers that go in the right-hand side of the square. The larger the difference, the larger the portion of that ingredient in the final mix. For example, if the target is 30 and the two ingredients have 50 and 20, the differences are 50 − 30 = 20 and 30 − 20 = 10, giving a 2:1 ratio of the first to the second.