Question

A painter is painting a wall with an area of 150 ft2. He decides to paint half of the wall and then take a break. After his break, he paints half of the remaining unpainted portion and then takes another break. If he continues to paint half of the remaining unpainted portion between breaks, approximately what portion of the original wall will be painted when he takes his fifth break?
a. 112.50 ft2
b. 145.31 ft2
c. 147.66 ft2
d. 290.63 ft2

Answer 1

First break= 1/2
second break = 1/2 of half= 1/4
third break = half of 1/4 = 1/8
forth break = 1/2 of 1/8 = 1/16
fifth break = 1/2 of 1/16 =1/32
fraction painted = 1 -1/32 =31/32
portion painted = 150*31/32 = 145.3125 ft^2