What is the combined weight of the calf and the placenta?

• A. 289 pounds
• B. 287 pounds
• C. 286 pounds
• D. 285 pounds

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the total postpartum weight is simply the sum of the calf’s weight and the placenta’s weight. To get the combined mass, you add the two weights together, making sure both are in the same unit (pounds in this case). If the calf weighs about 270 pounds and the placenta weighs about 16 pounds, the total would be 286 pounds. This demonstrates the additive nature of weights and why the combined figure falls at that value. Small variations in the placenta’s weight or rounding can shift the total by a few pounds, which is why nearby numbers appear in the options.