Define a variable and write an expression to represent the number of tents needed.

Question

A camp leader figures that she needs one tent for every three campers, plus a tent for herself.

Answer 1

The number of tents she needs for n campers is Ceiling(n/3). The reason is that if we divide n by 3, to get a quotient q and remainder r, then the first q tents will hold three students each, and, if r > 0, the last tent is needed to hold the last r students. Finally, since the leader needs a separate tent for herself, the total number of tents she needs if she brings n campers with her is 1+Ceiling(n/3).