Math for Pesticide Applicators

Pesticide applicators use math to determine treatment area, correctly dilute concentrated product, and calibrate equipment to deliver a desired application rate. These are all key steps in a successful pesticide application. Since most of us have not been in math class for a number of years, it may be helpful to revisit some handy math concepts and practice with them. The resources on this page were created to help you do just that!

DOWNLOAD: Jar Test Proportions Calculator (XLSX 17 KB) – This calculator is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that will help you test the compatibility of tank mix partners by determining the correct proportions of pesticides to use in small-scale jar tests and showing the order in which each chemical should be added to the mixture. Learn how to use the calculator with this short walk-through video. Instructions are also available in the spreadsheet itself.

What should I practice?

The slideshow linked below can help you gauge your understanding of various concepts and focus on the ones you should study in more depth. If you can answer a question, click on the 'More like this' button for a help sheet with practice problems. To get back to the presentation, click the back arrow.

Math for Pesticide Applicators slides (PDF 831 KB)

Help sheets (with practice problems)

The help sheets below allow more focused learning on specific math concepts.

  1. Using percentages (PDF 194 KB)
  2. Converting square feet to acres (PDF 664 KB)
  3. Calculating area for rectangles and squares (PDF 549 KB)
  4. Calculating area for circular fields (PDF 536 KB)
  5. Calculating area for irregular shapes (PDF 593 KB)
  6. Using cross multiplication (PDF 554 KB)
  7. Finding the amount of active ingredient in a formulated product (PDF 536 KB)
  8. Converting miles per hour to feet per second (PDF 730 KB)
  9. Determining the amount of granular product needed (PDF 567 KB)
  10. Determining the amount of liquid product needed (PDF 561 KB)
  11. Determining the amount of water and pesticide to mix (PDF 544 KB)
  12. Determining the amount of pesticide to use (PDF 668 KB)
  13. Mixing wettable powder formulations (PDF 536 KB)
  14. Mixing liquid formulations (PDF 549 KB)
  15. Using mathematical formulas (PDF 636 KB)