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Question

Aarif, Arun and Abraham can do a work in 12, 20 and 24 days, respectively. They all begin together. Arun leaves the work 3 days and Abraham 6 days before its completion. In how many days is the work finished?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2022 Tier-II (Paper 2 JSO) Previous Year Paper (04-Mar-2023)
The correct answer is

8

Solving the Work and Time Problem

This question involves calculating the total time taken to complete a work when multiple individuals with different work rates start together, but some leave before the work is finished. We need to determine the total number of days until the work is fully completed.

Understanding the Work Rates

First, let's figure out how much work each person can do in a single day. This is their daily work rate.

  • Aarif can do the work in 12 days. So, Aarif's daily work rate is \( \frac{1}{12} \) of the total work.
  • Arun can do the work in 20 days. So, Arun's daily work rate is \( \frac{1}{20} \) of the total work.
  • Abraham can do the work in 24 days. So, Abraham's daily work rate is \( \frac{1}{24} \) of the total work.

Setting Up the Problem

Let the total time taken to complete the work be T days.

We know the following:

  • Arun leaves 3 days before the work is completed. This means Arun worked for \( (T - 3) \) days.
  • Abraham leaves 6 days before the work is completed. This means Abraham worked for \( (T - 6) \) days.
  • Aarif works for the entire duration until the work is finished, which is T days.

The total work done is the sum of the work done by each person. The total work is considered as 1 unit.

Work done by Aarif = \( \text{Aarif's daily rate} \times \text{Days Aarif worked} = \frac{1}{12} \times T = \frac{T}{12} \)

Work done by Arun = \( \text{Arun's daily rate} \times \text{Days Arun worked} = \frac{1}{20} \times (T-3) = \frac{T-3}{20} \)

Work done by Abraham = \( \text{Abraham's daily rate} \times \text{Days Abraham worked} = \frac{1}{24} \times (T-6) = \frac{T-6}{24} \)

The equation representing the total work done is:

\( \text{Work done by Aarif} + \text{Work done by Arun} + \text{Work done by Abraham} = 1 \)

\( \frac{T}{12} + \frac{T-3}{20} + \frac{T-6}{24} = 1 \)

Solving for Total Time (T)

To solve this equation, we find the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators 12, 20, and 24. The LCM of 12, 20, and 24 is 120.

Multiply the entire equation by 120:

\( 120 \times \left( \frac{T}{12} \right) + 120 \times \left( \frac{T-3}{20} \right) + 120 \times \left( \frac{T-6}{24} \right) = 120 \times 1 \)

\( 10T + 6(T-3) + 5(T-6) = 120 \)

Now, distribute the numbers outside the parentheses:

\( 10T + 6T - 18 + 5T - 30 = 120 \)

Combine the terms with T and the constant terms:

\( (10T + 6T + 5T) + (-18 - 30) = 120 \)

\( 21T - 48 = 120 \)

Add 48 to both sides of the equation:

\( 21T = 120 + 48 \)

\( 21T = 168 \)

Divide by 21 to find the value of T:

\( T = \frac{168}{21} \)

\( T = 8 \)

So, the total time taken to finish the work is 8 days.

Detailed Calculation Steps

Step Calculation Explanation
1 Individual Rates Aarif: \(1/12\), Arun: \(1/20\), Abraham: \(1/24\)
2 Set up Equation \( \frac{T}{12} + \frac{T-3}{20} + \frac{T-6}{24} = 1 \)
3 Find LCM LCM(12, 20, 24) = 120
4 Multiply by LCM \( 10T + 6(T-3) + 5(T-6) = 120 \)
5 Simplify \( 10T + 6T - 18 + 5T - 30 = 120 \)
6 Combine Terms \( 21T - 48 = 120 \)
7 Isolate T \( 21T = 168 \)
8 Solve for T \( T = \frac{168}{21} = 8 \)

Conclusion

Based on our calculations, the work is finished in 8 days.

Revision Table: Work and Time Concepts

Concept Explanation Formula
Work Rate Amount of work done by a person/group in one unit of time (e.g., 1 day). If a person takes N days to complete a work, their daily rate is \( \frac{1}{N} \).
Total Work Usually considered as 1 unit, or the LCM of the individual days to simplify calculations. Total Work = Sum of Work done by individuals/groups.
Work Done The portion of work completed by a person/group. Work Done = Rate \(\times\) Time
Combined Rate The sum of individual rates when people work together. If rates are \(R_1, R_2, \dots \), combined rate is \( R_1 + R_2 + \dots \).

Additional Information: Solving Time and Work Problems

Time and work problems often involve scenarios with multiple individuals working together, sometimes with people joining or leaving. A common approach is to use the concept of work rate.

  • Work Rate Method: Assign a rate (\(1/\text{days}\)) to each person. If people work together, their rates add up. If someone leaves, their contribution stops for the remaining time.
  • LCM Method (Total Work Unit): Assume the total work unit is the LCM of the days taken by each person. This converts fractions into whole numbers, making calculation easier. Calculate the number of units of work done by each person per day.
  • Segmentation Method: Divide the total time into segments based on who is working during that period. Calculate the work done in each segment and sum it up to equal the total work.

In this specific problem, since the leaving times are given relative to the completion time, using a variable for total time (T) and setting up an equation based on total work (1) is an effective method.

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Similar Questions

  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?

  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:

  3. 20 women and 15 men together can complete a work in 6 days. It takes 150 days for a single woman to complete the work. In how many days can a single man complete the work?

  4. 15 men and 25 women can complete a piece of work in 9.6 days. If 16 women can complete the same work in 27 days, find the number of days in which 16 men can complete the same work.  

  5. Ram can complete a piece work in 15 days, Rohan in 25 days, and Rohit in 30 days. Rohan and Rohit worked together for 2 days and then Rohit was replaced by Ram. In how many days altogether was the work completed?

  6. R, S and T can finish a work in 20, 15 and 10 days, respectively. R works on all days and S and T work on alternate days with T starting the work on the first day. In how many days is the work finished?

  7. 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?

  8. A group of college students had decided to complete a project in 10 days. As 2 students dropped out every day, the project got completed at the end of the 15th day. The number of students at the beginning of the project was:

  9. A,B and C can do a piece of work in 30 days, 40 days and 50 days, respectively. Beginning with A, if A, B and C do the work alternatively then in how many days will the work be finished?

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Important Questions from Work Efficiency

  1. Sumi can complete a job working 5 hours per day in 2 days. If she doubles her working hours per day, then in how many days will she complete the work?

  2. 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?

  3. A man completes 7/8 of a job in 21 days. How many more days will it take him to finish the job if quantum of work further increased by 50%?

  4. 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?

  5. 3 men working 7 hours a day can complete a piece of work in 45 days. In how many days will 9 men working 6 hours a day complete the same work?

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