Rate problem (math issue)

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Rate problem (math issue)

by Stockmoose16 » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:28 pm
Can someone explain the math for the following problem?

Two machines are sawing wood but due to space limitations only one at a time can operate. Machine A is used for the first shift and the other machine for the second shift, while both work half of the third shift. Machine A can do the job in 12 days if it worked two shifts and Machine B can do the job in 15 days if it worked two shifts. How many days will it take to do the job with current work schedule?

A.14

B.13

C.11

D.9

E.7


The following was posted in another thread but I don't understand how he converts 2 shifts a day to 1.5 shifts a day by multiplying 2/1.5.

In my mind, if it takes 12 days to complete doing 2 shifts per day, then it should take 25% longer (since you're losing 25% of the shifts) to do it in 1.5 shifts. Thus, shouldn't it take 15 days (not 16 days) for machine A to complete the job?


-----------------

Total 3 shifts worked per day, with each machine working for 1.5 shifts

Machine A:
2 shifts a day...................12 days to complete the work
1.5 shifts/day...................12*2/1.5 = 16 days to complete the work
in one day it does 1/16 of work

Machine B:
2 shifts a day...................15 days to complete the work
1.5 shifts/day...................15*2/1.5 = 20 days to complete the work
in one day it does 1/20 of work

working together they do 1/16 + 1/20 = 9/80 of work in a day
they complete the work in 80/9 = 9 approx

IMO: D
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Re: Rate problem (math issue)

by logitech » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:46 pm
SM16,

It looks like you did not do any mistake. The answer should be D. Good work.
LGTCH
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Re: Rate problem (math issue)

by Stockmoose16 » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:49 pm
logitech wrote:SM16,

It looks like you did not do any mistake. The answer should be D. Good work.
Logitech,

I was the one who said it should take 15 days, not 16 days. The 16 days is someone else's work. My question is, if you get 25% less shift (from 2 days to 1.5), then shouldn't it take exactly 25% more time to do the job. If so, it should take 1.25 * 12 =15 days. Where is my logic flawed??

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Re: Rate problem (math issue)

by gmat009 » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:51 pm
Stockmoose16 wrote:Can someone explain the math for the following problem?

Two machines are sawing wood but due to space limitations only one at a time can operate. Machine A is used for the first shift and the other machine for the second shift, while both work half of the third shift. Machine A can do the job in 12 days if it worked two shifts and Machine B can do the job in 15 days if it worked two shifts. How many days will it take to do the job with current work schedule?

A.14

B.13

C.11

D.9

E.7


The following was posted in another thread but I don't understand how he converts 2 shifts a day to 1.5 shifts a day by multiplying 2/1.5.

In my mind, if it takes 12 days to complete doing 2 shifts per day, then it should take 25% longer (since you're losing 25% of the shifts) to do it in 1.5 shifts. Thus, shouldn't it take 15 days (not 16 days) for machine A to complete the job?


-----------------

Total 3 shifts worked per day, with each machine working for 1.5 shifts

Machine A:
2 shifts a day...................12 days to complete the work
1.5 shifts/day...................12*2/1.5 = 16 days to complete the work
in one day it does 1/16 of work

Machine B:
2 shifts a day...................15 days to complete the work
1.5 shifts/day...................15*2/1.5 = 20 days to complete the work
in one day it does 1/20 of work

working together they do 1/16 + 1/20 = 9/80 of work in a day
they complete the work in 80/9 = 9 approx

IMO: D
I am not sure how you are getting 15 but I am also getting 16.
His method is perfectly alright

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by cramya » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:51 pm
Forget the multiplication by 1.5 for the time being

A 1 shift = 1/24
A 1/2 SHIFT = 1/48

1/24 + 1/48 = 1/16 which is the same as multiplying by 1.5

B 1 shift 1/30
B 1/2 SHIFT 1/60

1/30 + 1/60 = 1/20 which is the same as multiplying by 1.5


Therefore in 1 day they do 1/16+1/20 = 9/80

Therefore to do 1 job its 80/9 ~= 9 days

Let me know if u still have questions

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by Stockmoose16 » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:53 pm
cramya wrote:Forget the multiplication by 1.5 for the time being

A 1 shift = 1/24
A 1/2 SHIFT = 1/48

1/24 + 1/48 = 1/16 which is the same as multiplying by 1.5

B 1 shift 1/30
B 1/2 SHIFT 1/60

1/30 + 1/60 = 1/20 which is the same as multiplying by 1.5


Therefore in 1 day they do 1/16+1/20 = 9/80

Therefore to do 1 job its 80/9 ~= 9 days


***I can get the answer once I get the number of days it takes each machine to do the work. I just don't understand why it's not 15, instead of 16.

Let me know if u still have questions

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by cramya » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:55 pm
Are we in agreement now StockMoose? Let me know whats on your mind...

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by Stockmoose16 » Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:58 pm
cramya wrote:Are we in agreement now StockMoose? Let me know whats on your mind...

I agree with your logic using those numbers to solve the problems, but I still don't understand why when 25% of the shift time is cut, an equivalent rise in the time it takes the job doesn't occur.

Since it takes 12 days using 2 shifts, then using 25% less shifts (1.5), it should take 15 days (25% longer).

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Re: Rate problem (math issue)

by logitech » Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:03 pm
Stockmoose16 wrote:
logitech wrote:SM16,

It looks like you did not do any mistake. The answer should be D. Good work.
Logitech,

I was the one who said it should take 15 days, not 16 days. The 16 days is someone else's work. My question is, if you get 25% less shift (from 2 days to 1.5), then shouldn't it take exactly 25% more time to do the job. If so, it should take 1.25 * 12 =15 days. Where is my logic flawed??
Okay check this out:

I have 10 cakes and I sell them 10 dollars each. So I make 100 bucks!

One day I find out that I only have 8 cakes. How much should I charge people to make the same money ?

Well my cakes numbers dropped 20 % ( 10--->8 )

So should I charge people 20 % more ? 10---12

12 x 8 = 96 :?: Do you see why we can't make 100 bucks ?

This was your logic.

So actually it is the same logic with our question:

DAYS to complete the task x Number of Shifts = FIXED NUMBER

so 12 days to complete doing 2 shifts per day = 24 daysxshift!

so 24 days x shift ( just like our 100 bucks ) = 1.5 shifts x ( HOW MANY DAYS )

HOW MANY DAYS = 16

Lets go to cake question:

100 = 8 cakes x HOW MUCH ?

HOW MUCH = 12.5

as you see to compensate a 20 % decrease which is 4/5 we need to increase the other part 5/4 which is 25 % increase :)

1 x 1 = 4/5 x 5/4 = 20 % decrease x 25 % increase!
LGTCH
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by cramya » Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:09 pm
Logitech got this one! Well put..

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Re: Rate problem (math issue)

by Stockmoose16 » Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:14 pm
logitech wrote:
Stockmoose16 wrote:
logitech wrote:SM16,

It looks like you did not do any mistake. The answer should be D. Good work.
Logitech,

I was the one who said it should take 15 days, not 16 days. The 16 days is someone else's work. My question is, if you get 25% less shift (from 2 days to 1.5), then shouldn't it take exactly 25% more time to do the job. If so, it should take 1.25 * 12 =15 days. Where is my logic flawed??
Okay check this out:

I have 10 cakes and I sell them 10 dollars each. So I make 100 bucks!

One day I find out that I only have 8 cakes. How much should I charge people to make the same money ?

Well my cakes numbers dropped 20 % ( 10--->8 )

So should I charge people 20 % more ? 10---12

12 x 8 = 96 :?: Do you see why we can't make 100 bucks ?

This was your logic.

So actually it is the same logic with our question:

DAYS to complete the task x Number of Shifts = FIXED NUMBER

so 12 days to complete doing 2 shifts per day = 24 daysxshift!

so 24 days x shift ( just like our 100 bucks ) = 1.5 shifts x ( HOW MANY DAYS )

HOW MANY DAYS = 16

Lets go to cake question:

100 = 8 cakes x HOW MUCH ?

HOW MUCH = 12.5

as you see to compensate a 20 % decrease which is 4/5 we need to increase the other part 5/4 which is 25 % increase :)

1 x 1 = 4/5 x 5/4 = 20 % decrease x 25 % increase!
As per usual, great explanation Logitech... let's hope I can remember this for my test tomorrow!

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by cramya » Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:17 pm
StockMoose,
Good luck! Be confident/relaxed and I hope u do well just like the rest!

Regards,
Cramya