Final answer:
After sequential calculations, 1/6 of the original cake was left after each person took their portion. Each step involved calculating the fraction taken and subtracting it from the remaining cake.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is mathematics, specifically involving the calculation of the remaining fraction of an item after successive reductions. We are asked to determine how much of the original cake was left after several people ate portions of it.
Using a pie analogy, we can visualize each person's portion as a fraction of what is left of the cake after each person is in turn, just like you could visualize fractions of a pie. To solve the problem, let's use sequential calculations:
- John ate 1/6 of the original cake, leaving 5/6 of the cake.
- Susan ate 1/5 of the remaining cake (5/6), which is 1/5 * 5/6 = 1/6. After Susan, 5/6 - 1/6 = 4/6 (which simplifies to 2/3) of the cake is left.
- Chan ate 1/4 of the remaining cake (2/3), which is 1/4 * 2/3 = 1/6. After Chan, 2/3 - 1/6 = 1/2 of the cake is left.
- Cindy ate 1/3 of the remaining cake (1/2), which is 1/3 * 1/2 = 1/6. After Cindy, 1/2 - 1/6 = 1/3 of the cake is left.
- Finally, Steven ate 1/2 of the remaining cake (1/3), which is 1/2 * 1/3 = 1/6. After Steven, 1/3 - 1/6 = 1/6 of the cake is left.
The final answer is that 1/6 of the original cake was left after everyone had eaten their portion.