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Word Problem – Rates Work Time Problem Solving – Question 6

GMAT word problem in rates. Q-51 series by 4GMAT

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Word Problem – RatesWork TimeProblem Solving – Question 6

Question

A can complete a task in ‘a’ days and B in ‘b’ days. They take turns in doing the task with each

working 2 days at a time. If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half

a day more. How long does it take to complete the task if they both work together?

A.469

days

B.509

days

C.5011

days

D.367

days

E.21041

days

◴What is the approach?

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

1. Rate and Time

Understand relation between time taken

and rate

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

1. Rate and Time

Understand relation between time taken

and rate

2. Words to equations

Translate what is given in words to mathematical

expressions and equations

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

1. Rate and Time

Understand relation between time taken

and rate

2. Words to equations

Translate what is given in words to mathematical

expressions and equations

The crux of solving a

word problem is this

step

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

1. Rate and Time

Understand relation between time taken

and rate

2. Words to equations

Translate what is given in words to mathematical

expressions and equations

3. Solve the equations

Solve the equations to find the value of the

unknowns.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

1. Rate and Time

Understand relation between time taken

and rate

2. Words to equations

Translate what is given in words to mathematical

expressions and equations

3. Solve the equations

Solve the equations to find the value of the

unknowns.

4. It’s not over yet

Using the values computed for the

unknown determine what is asked

◴Understanding relation between rate of work

and time taken

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate

· If A takes ‘a’ days to complete a task

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate

· If A takes ‘a’ days to complete a task A will complete 1a

of the task in a day

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate

· If A takes ‘a’ days to complete a task A will complete 1a

of the task in a day

Therefore, if A takes 20 days and B takes

30 days to complete a task, it will be

absurd to say that working together they

will take 20 + 30 = 50 days.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate

· If A takes ‘a’ days to complete a task A will complete 1a

of the task in a day

Therefore, if A takes 20 days and B takes

30 days to complete a task, it will be

absurd to say that working together they

will take 20 + 30 = 50 days.

In a day A will complete

120

th of the task and

B will complete 130

th of the task.

Together they will complete 1

20+

130

=3+260

=1

12

Or they will complete the task in 12 days.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate. Continued….

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate. Continued….

Similarly, if A takes ‘a’ days to complete a

task and B takes ‘b’ days to complete a

task and if working together they will

complete the task in 10 days,

it is INCORRECT to say a + b = 10.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate. Continued….

Similarly, if A takes ‘a’ days to complete a

task and B takes ‘b’ days to complete a

task and if working together they will

complete the task in 10 days,

it is INCORRECT to say a + b = 10.

The correct expression is 1a

+1b

=1

10

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

01 Understanding relation between time taken and rate. Continued….

Only the rate of work done in a day by two people working together can be added or subtracted. The time taken individually should not be added or subtracted.

Similarly, if A takes ‘a’ days to complete a

task and B takes ‘b’ days to complete a

task and if working together they will

complete the task in 10 days,

it is INCORRECT to say a + b = 10.

The correct expression is 1a

+1b

=1

10

◴Words to Mathematical Expressions and

Equations

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations

1 A can complete a task in ‘a’ days and B in ‘b’days

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations

1 A can complete a task in ‘a’ days and B in ‘b’days

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will complete 1a

of the task in a day

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations

1 A can complete a task in ‘a’ days and B in ‘b’days

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will complete 1a

of the task in a day

B will complete 1b

of the task in a day

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations

1 A can complete a task in ‘a’ days and B in ‘b’days

2 They take turns in doing the task with eachworking 2 days at a time.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will complete 1a

of the task in a day

B will complete 1b

of the task in a day

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations

1 A can complete a task in ‘a’ days and B in ‘b’days

2 They take turns in doing the task with eachworking 2 days at a time.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will complete 1a

of the task in a day

B will complete 1b

of the task in a day

If A works 2 days at a time, A will

complete 2a

of the task.

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations

1 A can complete a task in ‘a’ days and B in ‘b’days

2 They take turns in doing the task with eachworking 2 days at a time.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will complete 1a

of the task in a day

B will complete 1b

of the task in a day

If A works 2 days at a time, A will

complete 2a

of the task.

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations

For e.g., if A works for a total of 5 days, A will complete 5a

of the task.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

3 If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10days.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

3 If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10days.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will work on the following days:

Day 1, day 2, day 5, day 6, day 9, and day 10

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

3 If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10days.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will work on the following days:

Day 1, day 2, day 5, day 6, day 9, and day 10

B will work on the following days:

Day 3, day 4, day 7, and day 8

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

3 If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10days.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will work on the following days:

Day 1, day 2, day 5, day 6, day 9, and day 10

B will work on the following days:

Day 3, day 4, day 7, and day 8

So, A works 6 days and B works 4 days

to complete the task.

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

3 If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10days.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

So, the equation is 6

𝑎+

4

𝑏= 1 …… eqn (1)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

A will work on the following days:

Day 1, day 2, day 5, day 6, day 9, and day 10

B will work on the following days:

Day 3, day 4, day 7, and day 8

So, A works 6 days and B works 4 days

to complete the task.

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

4 If B starts, they take half a day more.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

4 If B starts, they take half a day more.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

B will work on the following days:

Day 1, day 2, day 5, day 6, day 9, and day 10

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

4 If B starts, they take half a day more.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

B will work on the following days:

Day 1, day 2, day 5, day 6, day 9, and day 10

A will work on the following days:

Day 3, day 4, day 7, day 8, and half day on day 11.

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

4 If B starts, they take half a day more.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

B will work on the following days:

Day 1, day 2, day 5, day 6, day 9, and day 10

A will work on the following days:

Day 3, day 4, day 7, day 8, and half day on day 11.

So, A works 4.5 days and B works 6 days to complete

the task.

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

4 If B starts, they take half a day more.

(Note each of them works 2 days at a time)

So, the equation is 4.5

𝑎+

6

𝑏= 1 Or

9

2𝑎+

6

𝑏= 1 ….. eqn (2)

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

B will work on the following days:

Day 1, day 2, day 5, day 6, day 9, and day 10

A will work on the following days:

Day 3, day 4, day 7, day 8, and half day on day 11.

So, A works 4.5 days and B works 6 days to complete

the task.

02 Words to mathematical expressions and equations. Continued…

◴Solve the two equations

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

6a

+4b

=1 …… eqn (1) and 92a

+6b

=1 …… eqn (2)

03 Solve the two equations

·

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

6a

+4b

=1 …… eqn (1) and 92a

+6b

=1 …… eqn (2)

03 Solve the two equations

·

Multiply eqn (1) by 3: 18a

+12b

=3 … eqn (3)·

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

6a

+4b

=1 …… eqn (1) and 92a

+6b

=1 …… eqn (2)

03 Solve the two equations

·

Multiply eqn (1) by 3: 18a

+12b

=3 … eqn (3)·

Multiply eqn (2) by 2: 182a

+12b

=2 … eqn (4)·

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

6a

+4b

=1 …… eqn (1) and 92a

+6b

=1 …… eqn (2)

03 Solve the two equations

·

Multiply eqn (1) by 3: 18a

+12b

=3 … eqn (3)·

Multiply eqn (2) by 2: 182a

+12b

=2 … eqn (4)·

Subtract eqn (4) from eqn (3), 9a

=1 or a = 9·

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

6a

+4b

=1 …… eqn (1) and 92a

+6b

=1 …… eqn (2)

03 Solve the two equations

·

Multiply eqn (1) by 3: 18a

+12b

=3 … eqn (3)·

Multiply eqn (2) by 2: 182a

+12b

=2 … eqn (4)·

Subtract eqn (4) from eqn (3), 9a

=1 or a = 9·

Substitute a = 9 in eqn (3): 189

+12b

=3 or 12b

= 1 or b = 12.·

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

6a

+4b

=1 …… eqn (1) and 92a

+6b

=1 …… eqn (2)

03 Solve the two equations

·

Multiply eqn (1) by 3: 18a

+12b

=3 … eqn (3)·

Multiply eqn (2) by 2: 182a

+12b

=2 … eqn (4)·

Subtract eqn (4) from eqn (3), 9a

=1 or a = 9·

Substitute a = 9 in eqn (3): 189

+12b

=3 or 12b

= 1 or b = 12.·

a = 9; b = 12

◴Last step: Finding time taken when they work

together

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

04 Time taken when they work together. A takes 9 days and B takes 12 days.

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

In a day A will complete 19

th of the task and B will complete 112

th of the task.

04 Time taken when they work together. A takes 9 days and B takes 12 days.

·

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

In a day A will complete 19

th of the task and B will complete 112

th of the task.

04 Time taken when they work together. A takes 9 days and B takes 12 days.

·

So, together they will complete 19

+112

=4 + 3

36=736

th of the task in a day.·

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

In a day A will complete 19

th of the task and B will complete 112

th of the task.

04 Time taken when they work together. A takes 9 days and B takes 12 days.

·

So, together they will complete 19

+112

=4 + 3

36=736

th of the task in a day.·

Therefore, they will complete the task in 367

days.·

If A starts they finish the task in exactly 10 days. If B starts, they take half a day more.

How long does it take to complete the task if they both work

together?

In a day A will complete 19

th of the task and B will complete 112

th of the task.

04 Time taken when they work together. A takes 9 days and B takes 12 days.

·

So, together they will complete 19

+112

=4 + 3

36=736

th of the task in a day.·

Therefore, they will complete the task in 367

days.·

Choice D is the answer

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