If there are 40 people, each person gets 600/40 = <<600/40=15>>15 cans.

Thirty percent of the total number of people present is 30/100*40 = <<30/100*40=12>>12

If there are 30% fewer people, the number of people who are to be fed is 40-12 = <<40-12=28>>28

Since each person is given 15 cans, twenty-eight people will need 15*28 = <<15*28=420>>420 cans.

# Answer

420
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Paddy's Confidential has 600 cans of stew required to feed 40 people. How many cans would be needed to feed 30% fewer people?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
420
Paddy's Confidential has 600 cans of stew required to feed 40 people. How many cans would be needed to feed 30% fewer people?
train