Question: Jamie's father gained 5 pounds over the holidays that he wants to lose so his pants will not be as snug. He asks Jamie to help him keep track of his calories. Jamie's father burns 2,500 calories of fat a day by doing light exercise. There are 3,500 calories in a pound of body fat. How many days will it take for Jamie's father to burn off 5 pounds if he does light exercise and sticks to eating 2000 calories a day? Think carefully first, then make a decision:
First Jamie wants to figure out how many calories his father needs to lose from 5 pounds x 3500 calories each = 17,500 calories to burn off. Then Jamie needs to figure out how many calories his father will burn per day if he burns 2500 calories - eating 2000 calories = burning 500 calories a day. If Jamie's father wants to burn off 17,500 calories total at 500 calories a day, 17,500 / 500 = 35 days to burn off 5 pounds. So the answer is 35.