Math Problem of the Week - Upper Elementary - Nov. 28, 2021 to Dec. 4, 2021

Upper Elementary: 

Question: One farmer sleeps through his alarm clock 3 times every 12 days. Another farmer has a duck that wakes him up 2 out of every 3 days by quacking. Which wakeup method is more effective, the alarm clock or the duck?

Answer: The Alarm Clock

Solution: Since the farmer sleeps through his alarm 3 times every 12 days, he wakes up to his alarm clock 9 times every 12 days. So, the alarm clock is successful 9 ÷ 12 = ¾ of the mornings it’s used. The duck wakes up the farmer 2 ÷ 3 = â…” of the mornings it quacks. Since ¾ is more than â…”, the alarm clock is more effective than the duck.