Question

Colin needs to write a 4-page essay. If he writes 4/5 of a page each night, how many nights will it take him to finish the essay?

Answer 1

Answer: it will take 5 nights

Explanation:

Total number of pages to be written is 4 pages

If he writes 4/5 page each night

Assume the number of night be n

: (4/5)n = 4

4n/5 = 4

4n = 4 * 5

4n= 20

n = 20/4

n = 5

It will take 5 night to finish the essay.

or

The remaining part of the essay on each day = 1/5

Therefore 1/5 *5 =5

It will take five nights to cover up for the remaining part of the pages left on each days.

Answer 2

It will take him 5 nights to finish the essay.

Explanation:

Given data:

Total pages 4

4/5 is written every night

Let the total number of nights be X

(4/5)X = 4

X = 4/(4/5)

X = 4 * 5/4 (invert the fraction )

X = 20/4

X = 5 nights