A farmer cleared 40% of a piece of land the first day and 60% of the remainder the next day. What percentage of the land was remaining at the end of the second day?
Let y = area of the field
First day area cleared = 40% of y
First day area cleared = x y = 0.4y
Remaining uncleared area = y - 0.4y
Remaining uncleared area = 0.6y
Second day area cleared = 60% of remaining
Second day area cleared = x 0.6y
Second day area cleared = 0.36y
Remaining area after the second day = 0.6y - 0.36y
Remaining area after the second day = 0.24y
Percentage = x 100%
Percentage of the land remaining at the end of the second day = x 100%
Note: the ys cancel each other.
Percentage of the land remaining at the end of the second day = x 100% = 24%