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Question

A can do \(1 \over 3\) of a piece of work in 32 days, B can do \(37{1 \over 2}\)% of the same work in 24 days, while C can do 60% of the same work in 48 days. B and C together started and worked for x days. After x days, B left the work and A joined C and both completed the remaining work in (x + 8) days. If the ratio of the work done by (B + C) together to the work done by (A + C) together is 9 ∶ 11, then what fraction of the same work can be completed by C alone in 3.5x days?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is \({7 \over 10}\)

Understanding the Work and Time Problem

This question involves calculating the work rates of three individuals, A, B, and C, and then determining the fraction of work C can complete alone based on conditions involving their combined work and a specific time duration.

First, let's find the time each person takes to complete the entire work alone and their respective daily work rates.

Calculating Individual Work Rates (Daily Work)

  • For A:

    A can do \( \frac{1}{3} \) of the work in 32 days.

    Time taken by A to complete the whole work = \( 32 \text{ days} \div \frac{1}{3} = 32 \times 3 = 96 \text{ days} \).

    A's daily work rate = \( \frac{1}{\text{Time taken by A}} = \frac{1}{96} \) of the work per day.

  • For B:

    B can do \( 37\frac{1}{2}\)% of the work in 24 days.

    \( 37\frac{1}{2}\)% as a fraction is \( \frac{37.5}{100} = \frac{75/2}{100} = \frac{75}{200} = \frac{3}{8} \).

    So, B can do \( \frac{3}{8} \) of the work in 24 days.

    Time taken by B to complete the whole work = \( 24 \text{ days} \div \frac{3}{8} = 24 \times \frac{8}{3} = 8 \times 8 = 64 \text{ days} \).

    B's daily work rate = \( \frac{1}{\text{Time taken by B}} = \frac{1}{64} \) of the work per day.

  • For C:

    C can do 60% of the work in 48 days.

    60% as a fraction is \( \frac{60}{100} = \frac{3}{5} \).

    So, C can do \( \frac{3}{5} \) of the work in 48 days.

    Time taken by C to complete the whole work = \( 48 \text{ days} \div \frac{3}{5} = 48 \times \frac{5}{3} = 16 \times 5 = 80 \text{ days} \).

    C's daily work rate = \( \frac{1}{\text{Time taken by C}} = \frac{1}{80} \) of the work per day.

Person Time to complete work alone Daily Work Rate
A 96 days \( \frac{1}{96} \)
B 64 days \( \frac{1}{64} \)
C 80 days \( \frac{1}{80} \)

Analyzing the Two Phases of Work Completion

The work is completed in two phases:

  1. Phase 1: B and C work together for x days.
  2. Phase 2: B leaves, and A joins C. A and C work together for (x + 8) days to complete the remaining work.

Combined Work Rates

  • Combined daily work rate of B and C:

    \( \text{Rate}_{B+C} = \text{Rate}_B + \text{Rate}_C = \frac{1}{64} + \frac{1}{80} \)

    To add these fractions, find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 64 and 80. LCM(64, 80) = 320.

    \( \text{Rate}_{B+C} = \frac{1 \times 5}{64 \times 5} + \frac{1 \times 4}{80 \times 4} = \frac{5}{320} + \frac{4}{320} = \frac{5+4}{320} = \frac{9}{320} \) of the work per day.

  • Combined daily work rate of A and C:

    \( \text{Rate}_{A+C} = \text{Rate}_A + \text{Rate}_C = \frac{1}{96} + \frac{1}{80} \)

    To add these fractions, find the LCM of 96 and 80. LCM(96, 80) = 480.

    \( \text{Rate}_{A+C} = \frac{1 \times 5}{96 \times 5} + \frac{1 \times 6}{80 \times 6} = \frac{5}{480} + \frac{6}{480} = \frac{5+6}{480} = \frac{11}{480} \) of the work per day.

Work Done in Each Phase and Finding x

  • Work done by (B+C) in x days (Phase 1):

    \( W_{B+C} = \text{Rate}_{B+C} \times x = \frac{9}{320} \times x = \frac{9x}{320} \)

  • Work done by (A+C) in (x+8) days (Phase 2):

    \( W_{A+C} = \text{Rate}_{A+C} \times (x+8) = \frac{11}{480} \times (x+8) \)

The question states that the ratio of the work done by (B + C) together to the work done by (A + C) together is 9 : 11. Based on the problem structure, this ratio likely refers to the work done during the specific periods mentioned for each group (Phase 1 vs Phase 2).

So, \( W_{B+C} : W_{A+C} = 9 : 11 \).

\( \frac{9x}{320} : \frac{11(x+8)}{480} = 9 : 11 \)

\( \frac{\frac{9x}{320}}{\frac{11(x+8)}{480}} = \frac{9}{11} \)

\( \frac{9x}{320} \times \frac{480}{11(x+8)} = \frac{9}{11} \)

Cancel out 9 from both numerators and 11 from both denominators:

\( \frac{x}{320} \times \frac{480}{x+8} = 1 \)

\( \frac{480x}{320(x+8)} = 1 \)

Simplify the fraction \( \frac{480}{320} = \frac{48}{32} = \frac{3}{2} \).

\( \frac{3x}{2(x+8)} = 1 \)

\( 3x = 2(x+8) \)

\( 3x = 2x + 16 \)

\( 3x - 2x = 16 \)

\( x = 16 \)

Verifying the value of x

If \( x = 16 \) days:

  • Work done by (B+C) in Phase 1 (\( x \) days) = \( \frac{9}{320} \times 16 = \frac{9 \times 16}{320} = \frac{144}{320} \). Divide numerator and denominator by 16: \( \frac{9}{20} \).
  • Work done by (A+C) in Phase 2 (\( x+8 \) days) = \( \frac{11}{480} \times (16+8) = \frac{11}{480} \times 24 = \frac{11 \times 24}{480} \). Divide numerator and denominator by 24: \( \frac{11}{20} \).

Total work done = Work in Phase 1 + Work in Phase 2 = \( \frac{9}{20} + \frac{11}{20} = \frac{20}{20} = 1 \). This confirms that \( x=16 \) is correct as the total work is completed.

The ratio of work done in Phase 1 to Phase 2 is \( \frac{9}{20} : \frac{11}{20} = 9 : 11 \), which matches the condition given in the question.

Calculating Work Done by C Alone

We need to find the fraction of work C can complete alone in \( 3.5x \) days.

  • Value of \( x = 16 \) days.
  • Time for C = \( 3.5x = 3.5 \times 16 \) days.
  • \( 3.5 \times 16 = \frac{7}{2} \times 16 = 7 \times 8 = 56 \) days.
  • C's daily work rate = \( \frac{1}{80} \).
  • Work done by C alone in 56 days = C's daily work rate \( \times \) Time
  • Work done by C = \( \frac{1}{80} \times 56 = \frac{56}{80} \)

Simplify the fraction \( \frac{56}{80} \). Both numerator and denominator are divisible by 8.

\( \frac{56 \div 8}{80 \div 8} = \frac{7}{10} \).

So, C alone can complete \( \frac{7}{10} \) of the work in \( 3.5x \) days.

Final Answer Fraction of Work

The fraction of the same work that can be completed by C alone in \( 3.5x \) days is \( \frac{7}{10} \).

Revision Table: Key Calculations

Description Calculation Result
A's time to complete work \( 32 / (1/3) \) 96 days
B's time to complete work \( 24 / (3/8) \) 64 days
C's time to complete work \( 48 / (3/5) \) 80 days
B + C daily work rate \( 1/64 + 1/80 \) \( 9/320 \)
A + C daily work rate \( 1/96 + 1/80 \) \( 11/480 \)
Equation from ratio \( \frac{9x/320}{11(x+8)/480} = \frac{9}{11} \) \( x = 16 \)
Time for C alone \( 3.5 \times x \) 56 days
Work by C in 56 days \( 1/80 \times 56 \) \( 7/10 \)

Additional Information: Time and Work Concepts

Time and work problems often involve calculating individual efficiency and then combining or comparing the work done by multiple individuals over specific periods.

  • Daily Work Rate: If a person completes a work in 'N' days, their daily work rate is \( 1/N \) of the total work. This is the amount of work done per day.
  • Total Work: The total work is typically considered as '1 unit' or '100%'.
  • Combined Work Rate: If multiple people work together, their individual daily work rates are added to find the combined daily work rate. For example, if A's rate is \( R_A \) and B's rate is \( R_B \), their combined rate is \( R_A + R_B \).
  • Work Done = Rate \( \times \) Time: If a person or group works at a rate 'R' for 'T' days, the total work done is \( R \times T \).
  • Completing Work: When the work is completed, the total work done equals 1.
  • Efficiency: Work rate is directly related to efficiency. A higher work rate means higher efficiency (completing more work in less time).

Understanding these basic principles is key to solving complex time and work problems like the one discussed here.

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Similar Questions

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  2. To do a certain work, A and B work on alternate days with B beginning the work on the first day. A alone can complete the same work in 24 days. If the work gets completed in  \(11 \frac{1}{3}\)  days, then B alone can complete  \(\rm \frac{7}{9}^{th}\)  part of the original work in:

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Important Questions from Work Efficiency

  1. Five men and 2 boys can do in 30 days as much work as 7 men and 10 boys can do in 15 days. How many boys should join 40 men to do the same work in 4 days?

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  3. 24 men and 12 women can do a piece of work in 30 days. In how many days can 12 men and 24 women do the same piece of work?

  4. A and B together can do a piece of work in 4 days, B and C can do it in 6 days, A and C can do it in 8 days. Then A, B and C together can do the same work in :-

  5. A can complete 50% of a work in 9 days and B can do 25% of the work in 9 days, if they work alone. If they work together then how much work (in percentage) can be completed in 6 days?

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