Question

Eric bought a package of loose leaf paper that contained 500 sheets. In the first week, he used 1/5 of the paper. During the next two weeks, Eric used 2/5 of the remaining paper. How many sheets of paper did Eric have available at the start of the fourth week?

Choices
A. 100 sheets
B. 200 sheets
C. 240 sheets
D. 260 sheets

Answers

Ms. Sue
I'll be glad to check your answer.

Trey
Okay, my answer was 240
Trey
Because i guessed
Ms. Sue
Your guess is wrong.

500 [(5/5) - (1/5) - (2/5)] = _______ sheets
Trey
200 sheets?
Ms. Sue
Yes, 200 sheets
Trey
Thanks, Ms.Sue
Ms. Sue
You're welcome, Trey.
Reiny
sheets left after 1st week = 4/5 of 500 = 400
after 2 more weeks 3/5 of those are left = 240

or, long way:

papers used in 1st week = (1/5)(500) = 100
left: 400
he uses 2/5 of those: (2/5)(400) = 160
leaving him 400 - 160 or 240 at the end of 3rd week
Ms. Sue
Reiny is right -- and Trey was right at first.

I didn't read carefully to see that it said 2/5 of the pages left.

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