Question

Michaela spent 5/6 of an hour reading on each of 3 days this week. She spent 3/4 of an hour on each of 2 days this week doing science. She spent 1/2 of an hour on each of 4 days this week doing math. Milana said she spent 5 1/2 hours doing reading, math, and science this week. Michaela said that she spent 2 1/2 hours doing reading, math, and science this week. Who is correct? What mistake did someone make? Explain your thinking and draw models to support your answer.

Answer 1

5/6 of an hour is 50 min. So 50 times 3 equals 150 min for reading. 3/4 of an hour is 45 min. 45 times 2 equals 90 min for science. And 1/2 of an hour is 30 min. So 30 times 4 equals 120 mins for math. Add 150,90, and 120 min all together and you get 360 mins total. Divide 360 by 60, and you get 6 hours total that Michaela spent on reading, math, and science. Not 2 1/2.