BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Plz explain this Work problem

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:58 am

Plz explain this Work problem

by prameko » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:04 pm
I 'm not understand the explaination answer. plz help and explain in the easier way.

1. 15 Java programmers, working in a constant pace, finish a web page in 3 days. If after one day, 9 programmers quit, how many more days are needed to finish the remainder of the job?

(a) 5.
(b) 2.
(c) 8.
(d) 4.
(e) 6.

The best answer is A.
The total working days for finishing a web page are (15 x 3) 45. If after one day 9 programmers quit, only 15 working days are done and the rest of the programmers (6)
Need to finish (45 – 15) 30 days of work. It will take them 5 more days.
Top
Source: — Problem Solving |
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:42 pm
Location: Chicago
Thanked: 20 times

Re: Plz explain this Work problem

by Musiq » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:27 pm
prameko wrote:I 'm not understand the explaination answer. plz help and explain in the easier way.

1. 15 Java programmers, working in a constant pace, finish a web page in 3 days. If after one day, 9 programmers quit, how many more days are needed to finish the remainder of the job?

(a) 5.
(b) 2.
(c) 8.
(d) 4.
(e) 6.
Hi Prameko,

There are many ways to approach this question, but in my opinion, the following is a universal approach in that it can be expanded to accomodate any subtlety that GMAT test-makers impose on us. So, in reality it works in every proportionailty problem AND more importantly we understand what we are doing.

The assumption of every such question is that all people work exactly at the same rate (unless otherwise specified)

15 Programmers------------ 1 job -------------------- 3 days.
Therefore,
1 programmer----------------1 job ------------------- (15) (3) = 45 days.

Also,
15 programmers ------------1/3rd job -----------------1 day.

{ ^^This is a very important step in the problem, coz now you can answer any question that can be posed, since you have converted everything into rates based on 1 day or 1 person}

{The Condition: 9 programmers leave after 1 day. But, the 15 programmers finished 1 day's work together. This is 1/3rd of the work. This leaves 2/3rds of the work to be finished.}

There are only 6 programmers left to finish the webpage. What is the rate of work of 6 programmers on this kind of a job?

1 programmer-----------------1 job------------------------ 45 days.
Therefore,
6 programmers--------------- 1 job----------------------- 45/6 days (since work gets shared and gets done faster).

But we need only 2/3rd of the work to get done.

6 programmers---------------1 job---------------------45/6 days
6 programmers--------------2/3rd job----------------- ??????

Multiply 45/6 with 2/3rds to get the answer as 5 days more .qa = A.

The last step is a standard proportionality set-up. If you need any help with that, please let me know.
For love, not money.
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:58 am

Thank you Musiq

by prameko » Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:57 pm
Thank You Musiq for your easier explaination.
I'm understand it better now . I always have problem about this kind of work problems. I take so long time to solve it.

Actually, I just had GMAT test last week and I was so upset about it. I could not finish it on time (many questions left) both math and verbal. I plan to retake next month. Can I have ur suggestion to improve about 100? Moreover, I may have many GMAT to ask you later.
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:42 pm
Location: Chicago
Thanked: 20 times

Re: Thank you Musiq

by Musiq » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:05 pm
prameko wrote: Actually, I just had GMAT test last week and I was so upset about it. I could not finish it on time (many questions left) both math and verbal. I plan to retake next month. Can I have ur suggestion to improve about 100? Moreover, I may have many GMAT to ask you later.
Please feel free to ask any questions. As far as my knowledge extends, I will help you.

Good luck when you retake the exam. Dont be upset that you have to retake the exam.

GMAC has research that shows 23% of all test-takers repeat the exam. Thats 1 in 4 people.

My point is that its not you, its probably the GMAT itself. Luckily we know that the GMAT has a set testing phiolosophy. Try to capture that in your preparation.

That will really help. And of course, please finish the test. Thats really important. Unfinished tests result in huge score losses.
For love, not money.
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:58 am

work problem again

by prameko » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:48 pm
Can u explain another one.

2. Two carpenters, working in the same pace, can build 2 desks in two hours and a half. How many desks can 4 carpenters build in 4 hours?

(a) 2.4.
(b) 3.6.
(c) 4.2.
(d) 5.5.
(e) 6.4

The best answer is E.
2 carpenters build 2 desks in 2.5 hours ---> 4 carpenters build 4 desks in 2.5 hours ----> In 4 hours there are (4/2.5 = 1.6) time units. And (4 x 1.6) is 6.4 desks.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 986
Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:07 am
Location: India
Thanked: 51 times
Followed by:1 members

Re: work problem again

by gabriel » Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:13 am
prameko wrote:Can u explain another one.

2. Two carpenters, working in the same pace, can build 2 desks in two hours and a half. How many desks can 4 carpenters build in 4 hours?

(a) 2.4.
(b) 3.6.
(c) 4.2.
(d) 5.5.
(e) 6.4

The best answer is E.
2 carpenters build 2 desks in 2.5 hours ---> 4 carpenters build 4 desks in 2.5 hours ----> In 4 hours there are (4/2.5 = 1.6) time units. And (4 x 1.6) is 6.4 desks.

Hi Prameko,

Welcome to BTG. Please do start a new question on a new thread. This will help everyone keep track of the question better.

Regards

@Musiq.. nice explanations btw
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:51 pm

by gmat765 » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:53 pm
thanks, musiq. your explanation is very clear
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1462
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:34 am
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 39 times
Followed by:22 members

hi

by Jeff@TargetTestPrep » Fri Jan 05, 2018 7:22 am
15 Java programmers, working in a constant pace, finish a web page in 3 days. If after one day, 9 programmers quit, how many more days are needed to finish the remainder of the job?

(a) 5
(b) 2
(c) 8
(d) 4
(e) 6
We know that the daily rate of 15 workers is 1/3 of the job. To find the daily rate of 6 workers, then, we can set up the following proportion:

15/(1/3) = 6/x

45 = 6/x

45x = 6

x = 6/45 = 2/15 (This is the daily rate of 6 workers.)

Since after 1 day of work 1/3 of the job is completed, the 6 workers now have to complete the remaining 2/3 of the job at the rate of 2/15 of the job per day.

We use the formula work = rate x time. We let x = the time it will take the 6 workers to finish 2/3 of the job.

2/3 = (2/15)(x)

30/6 = x

x = 5

Answer: A

Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1