On the first day of vacation, you read one-quarter of a novel. On the second day, you read half of the remaining pages. On the third day, you read the last 141 pages of the novel.
On the first day of vacation, you read one-quarter of a novel. On the second day, you read half of the remaining pages. On the third day, you read the last 141 pages of the novel. How many pages does the novel have? How many pages did you read by the end of the second day?
Let x = total number of pages in the novel
total number of pages (x) = day 1 pages + day 2 pages + day 3 pages
From the information given, x = (0.25x) + (0.50(x – 0.25x)) + 141
Expand: x = 0.25x + 0.50(0.75x) + 141
x = 0.25x + 0.375x + 141
Combine terms: x – 0.25x – 0.375 x = 141
x – 0.625x = 141
0.375x = 141
Divide by 0.375: 0.375x / 0.375 = 141 / 0.375
x = 376
Therefore, the novel has 376 pages. On the first day (0.25 • 376) or 94 pages were read. On the second day (0.375 • 376) or 141 pages were read.
