rate and work

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 118
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 10:07 pm
Thanked: 23 times
Followed by:4 members

by das.ashmita » Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:07 pm
Hi Pritam

Work done by 6 Machines in 1day = 1/12
Work done by 1 Machine in 1day = 1/(12*6)
Work done by 1 Machine in 8days = 8/(12*6) =1/9

Therefore, 9 machines will be required to complete 1 job in 8 days.
Extra machines = 9-6 = 3

Hope it helps :)

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:02 pm
pritam.ryders wrote:IF 6 machines can do complete a piece of work in 12 days then how many extra machines is required to complete the same work in 8 days?
The number of machines here is the RATE -- how much work is completed per day.
Thus, the amount of work = r*t = (number of machines)(number of days).
Since the value of the work is not changing, we get the following INVERSE proportion:

(number of machines)(number of days) = (number of machines)(number of days)

In the equation above, as the number of machines INCREASES, the number of days DECREASES, so that the SAME AMOUNT OF WORK is completed in each case.

Since 6 machines can complete the job in 12 days, and we need to determine the number of machines required to complete the job in 8 days, we get:
(6)(12) = (x)(8)
x = 9.

Since 9 machines are needed, the number of machines that must be added to the 6 existing machines = 3.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 11:27 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by sreenunna » Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:06 pm
pritam.ryders wrote:IF 6 machines can do complete a piece of work in 12 days then how many extra machines is required to complete the same work in 8 days?
Always try to convert into Manhours in these problem types to make the solution simple

6 Machines in 12 days, totally 6*12= 72 Manhours

if you want to finish 72 Manhours in 8 days , then 72/8 = 9 Machines

9 - 6 = Extra 3 Machines are needed