Lindsey

middle (6-9)
college student

Here's the problem: 20 men dig 40 holes in 60 days. So, 10 men can dig 10 holes in how many days? I think the answer is 3 or 3 and 1/3, but I want to be sure. (An bet with my 10-year-old brother depends on it!)

Thanks for your help!
Lindsey



Hi Lindsey,

I think you are in trouble.

The solution to this problem is to imagine the situation and reason it out.

20 men dig 40 holes in 60 days so in the same amount of time, half the number of men would dig half as many holes. Thus 10 men dig 20 holes in 60 days Now these same 10 men would dig half as many holes in half as many days. Thus 10 men dig 10 holes in 30 days

Pay up,
Penny

Go to Math Central