Final answer:
The total number of pills taken by the patient over the course of the first six days is 120 pills, based on a starting dosage of 20 pills per day with no reduction in the first week.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is about calculating the total number of pills the patient will take over six days, given the decreasing dosage per week. Initially, the patient takes 20 pills in the first week. Each subsequent week, the patient takes 3 fewer pills than the previous week. To find the total number of pills taken across six days, we need to determine the dosage for each week and then calculate the sum for the six days. Here's a step-by-step solution:
Week 1: 20 pills
Week 2: 20 - 3 = 17 pills
Week 3: 17 - 3 = 14 pills
Since we only need the total for 6 days, we will calculate the total for the first 6 days of the first week:
6 days * 20 pills/day = 120 pills
So, the patient will take a total of 120 pills over the course of the first six days.