If José reads at a constant rate of 2 pages every

[VJesus12]

If José reads at a constant rate of 2 pages every 5 minutes, how many seconds will it take him to read N pages?

A. 2/5*N
B. 2N
C. 5/2*N
D. 24N
E. 150N

The OA is the option E.

What is the best approach to solving this PS question? I need a little help here. <i class="em em-confused"></i>

[Vincen]

If José reads at a constant rate of 2 pages every 5 minutes, how many seconds will it take him to read N pages?

A. 2/5*N
B. 2N
C. 5/2*N
D. 24N
E. 150N

The OA is the option E.

What is the best approach to solving this PS question? I need a little help here. <i class="em em-confused"></i>

Hello Vjesus12.

This is how I solved it.

If José reads at 2 pages every 5 minutes, then he reads 1 page in 2.5 minutes. Since the answer ask how many SECONDS, we have to make the conversion of units. Then we have that: $$\frac{2.5m}{1\ page}=\frac{2.5m}{1\ page}\cdot\frac{60\ \text{secs}}{1\ m}=\frac{150\ \text{secs}}{1\ page}.$$ Now, if he reads N pages, then it will take him $$\left(N\ pages\right)\cdot\frac{150\ \text{secs}}{1\ page}=150N\text{secs}.$$ Hence, the correct answer is the option E.
I hope it helps.

[ErikaPrepScholar]

As a quick note, we can stack all of these conversions into one dimensional analysis equation:

$$n\ pages\left(\frac{5\ \min}{2\ pages}\right)\left(\frac{60\ \sec}{1\ \min}\right)=\ 150\ \sec$$

This reduces the number of steps we need to do, simplifies our math via cancelling, and keeps our information more organized.

[Scott@TargetTestPrep]

If José reads at a constant rate of 2 pages every 5 minutes, how many seconds will it take him to read N pages?

A. 2/5*N
B. 2N
C. 5/2*N
D. 24N
E. 150N

José's rate is 2/5 pages per minute. Thus, it takes him N/(2/5) = 5N/2 minutes = 5N/2 x 60 = 150N seconds to read N pages.

Alternate Solution:

Jose reads 2 pages per 300 seconds. Thus, we can set up a proportion to determine x = the number of seconds it will take him to read N pages:

2/300 = N/x

2x = 300N

x = 150N

Answer: E