Question

The average life span of a tortoise is 200 years. How many days is this?

Answer 1

`color(blue)("73,000 days"`

Explanation:

In order to figure out the number of days in 200 years, we're going to use dimensional analysis (method that allows you to convert from one unit of measurement to another by cancelling out unwanted units) and the relationship below:

`color(magenta)(" 1 year = 365 days"`

I like to use the following technique:

`"Quantity Given" xx "Conversion Factor" = "Quantity Sought"`

`color(gold)("Quantity Given:"` 200 years

`color(aqua)("Conversion Factor:"` 365

`color(coral)("Quantity Sought:"` Days

Let's plug in the values:

`200cancel"years"xx(365 days)/(1cancel"year")` = 73,000 days

Answer 2

`73000` without taking the 50 leap years into consideration.

`73 050`

Explanation:

The method and answer depend on the level of accuracy required.

We could just say that:
1 year has 365 days, therefore

in 200 years there are `200 xx365 = 73,000` days,

However, this does not take into account that every 4th year is a leap year with 366 days.

So, over a period of 200 years there will be 50 leap years meaning there will be 50 days more.

However, this is an average, and 50 is a really small fraction of 73,000.