Question

As the grocery store prepared for the new day, 172 packages of chicken were placed on the display. When the store opened, customers took the packages at a rate of 52% per minute. How many minutes did it take for only 1 package to remain?

Answer 1

It'll take 6.97 minutes to have only 1 package remaining.

Explanation:

This problem can be interpreted as a compounded interest problem, where the initial amount is 172 packages the interest is 52% and the final amount is 1 package. The formula for compounded interest is:

M = C*(1 - r)^(t)

Where M is the final amount, C is the initial amount, r is the interest rate and t is time elapsed. So we have:

1 = 172*(1 - 0.52)^(t)

1 = 172*(0.48)^t

1/172 = 0.48^t

0.48^t = 0.006

log(0.48^t) = log(0.006)

t*log(0.48) = log(0.006)

-0.734*t = -5.116

t = 6.97

It'll take 6.97 minutes to have only 1 package remaining.