Randy just turned 12 and started playing the piano. His friend Sheila told him about the 10,000-hour rule which says, after 10,000 hours of practice, you become an expert or master in your field. If Randy wants to become a piano expert before he is 20, how many hours a day will he need to practice if he practices every day, Monday – Friday, and takes two weeks off for vacation each year? Let's be accurate as possible.
Randy has 20 – 12 = 8 years until he is 20. He must practice 10,000 hours / 8 years = 1,250 hours a year to become an expert. There are 52 weeks in a year – 2 weeks of vacation Randy plans to take = 50 weeks of practice for Randy. Randy will practice Monday – Friday, which is 5 days a week, so 50 weeks x 5 days = 250 days of practice each year. Randy will need to practice 1250 hours / 250 days = 5 hours each day.
The answer: 5.