1. **Problem Statement:** A field of paddy can be harvested by 10 people in 20 days. If 2 people are less (i.e., 8 people), how many days will it take to harvest the same field? 2. **Formula and Concept:** The total work done is constant. Work = Number of people $ \times $ Number of days. 3. Let the total work be $ W $. Then, $$ W = 10 \times 20 = 200 \text{ person-days} $$ 4. If 8 people work, let the number of days required be $ d $. Then, $$ 8 \times d = W = 200 $$ 5. Solve for $ d $: $$ d = \frac{200}{8} = 25 $$ 6. **Answer:** It will take 8 people 25 days to harvest the paddy field. This is because fewer people means more days are needed to complete the same amount of work.