An operator needs to convert a flow rate of 4,200 gpm to million gallons per day. What is the equivalent flow rate?

To convert a flow rate from gallons per minute (gpm) to million gallons per day (MGD), you can use the conversion factors where 1 million gallons is equal to 1,000,000 gallons and there are 1,440 minutes in a day (24 hours times 60 minutes).

Here's the calculation:

1. First, convert the flow rate of 4,200 gpm to gallons per day:

[

4,200 \text{ gpm} \times 1,440 \text{ minutes/day} = 6,048,000 \text{ gallons/day}

]

2. Then, convert gallons per day to million gallons per day:

[

\frac{6,048,000 \text{ gallons/day}}{1,000,000} = 6.048 \text{ MGD}

]

Rounding this value gives approximately 6.04 MGD. Therefore, the correct flow rate is 6.04 million gallons per day. This illustrates the direct application of the conversion factors involving both time and volume to achieve the desired units.