When 2000 pounds of paper is recycled or reused, 16 trees are saved. How many trees are saved if 5000 pounds of paper is recycled?

Question

Read and solve the following story problem. You need to SOLVE the problem and provide a CLEAR explanation of how you solved it. Explain each step of your reasoning process.

Answer 1

Emily, this is a ratio question.  Set 16/2000 = x/5000 and solve for x.

Answer 2

For 2000 pounds of paper recycled ,trees saved are = 16

 

When 1 lb of paper recycled, trees saved are       =.   16/2000

 

When 5000 lbs of paper recycled ,trees saved are = (16/2000)*5000

 

                                                                           = 40 trees saved.