Ginger baby weighted only 3 3/8 pounds when it was born. The doctor said it could not leave the hospital until it weighted 5 1/2 pounds. How many pounds must the baby gain before it can go home with ginger?

Weight of Ginger baby when it was born = 3 3/8 pounds

= 27/8 pounds

Weight before the baby could not leave hospital = 5 1/2 pounds

= 11/2 pounds

Amount of pounds gained before it can leave hospital = (11/2) - (27/8) pounds

= (44 - 27) / 8 pounds

= 17/8 pounds

= 2 1/8 pounds

So the baby must gain a weight of 2 1/8 pounds before it can leave hospital.