A fresh watermelon weighing 20 kg contains 96% water. After 5 days, because of evaporation, its water content falls to 95%. Find the weight of the watermelon now.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → 16 kg
Only water evaporates, so the non-water part (pulp) keeps the same weight. Its share rises from 4% to 5%, and that fixes the new weight.
Pulp \(=100\%-96\%=4\%\) of 20 kg \(=0.8\) kg
After 5 days the pulp is \(100\%-95\%=5\%\) of the new weight
New weight \(\displaystyle =\frac{0.8}{0.05}=16\) kg
The watermelon now weighs 16 kg.