Math Problem of the Week - Middle School - Sept. 5, 2021 to Sept. 11, 2021

Middle School: 

Question: Wendy and the Lost Boys are taking turns reading each other a bedtime story. Wendy reads 50% of the story. Tootles, Nibs, Slightly, and Curly each read 50% of the number of pages that are left on each of their turns. Finally, the twins each read 50% of the remaining pages. What percentage of the story has been read by the time it's the twins' turn to read?

Answer:  96.875%

Solution:  After Wendy reads, 50% of the pages are left to read. After Tootles, 50% × 50% = 25% are left. After Nibs, 50% × 25% = 12.5% are left. After Slightly, 50% × 12.5% = 6.25% are left. After Curly, 50% × 6.25% = 3.125% are left. So, by the time it’s the twins’ turn to read, 3.125% of the pages are left, which means 100% – 3.125% = 96.875% of the story has been read.