Determine the Number of Passengers at the Second Stop in a Bus Scenario

The challenge in this problem involves tracking the number of passengers on a bus as they change with each stop. A clear understanding of percentage increase and basic multiplication is crucial to solving it correctly. This article will guide you through the process of determining the number of passengers at the second stop, ensuring you find the right answer.

Problem Overview

Initially, there are 60 passengers on the bus. After the first stop, 25 percent of these passengers board, and at the second stop, 40 percent of the number at the first stop join the bus. The task is to determine the number of passengers on the bus at the second stop.

Step-by-Step Solution

Calculating Passengers After the First Stop

We start with the initial number of passengers, 60, and then calculate the increase at the first stop:

F passengers at first stop

The increase at the first stop is 25 percent of 60 passengers:

F 0.25 times; 60

F 15

Adding this increase to the initial number of passengers:

Total passengers after the first stop 60 15 75

Calculating Passengers After the Second Stop

Next, we calculate the increase at the second stop, which is 40 percent of the number of passengers after the first stop (75):

S passengers at second stop

The increase at the second stop is 40 percent of 75:

S 0.40 times; 75

S 30

Adding this increase to the number of passengers after the first stop:

Total passengers after the second stop 75 30 105

Therefore, the number of passengers at the second stop is 105.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It is easy to make mistakes when interpreting the problem or performing the calculations. Here are some common issues that could lead to incorrect answers:

Incorrect target of the question: Some might only calculate the total number of passengers on the bus after the second stop instead of the number of passengers specifically at the second stop. Incorrect percentage application: Using the initial number of passengers instead of the number after the first stop to calculate the second increase can lead to a more complex and incorrect result. Marking the initial number of passengers as the final target: Starting from 60 and adding the increases step by step can lead to wrong answers, such as 81 or 99.

Conclusion

By understanding the problem thoroughly and applying basic mathematical operations, you can accurately determine the number of passengers at the second stop. The correct number of passengers at the second stop is 105. This approach ensures that you solve the problem correctly and avoid common missteps.