Math Problem Statement
A started the work and after a few days, B joined him. They completed the work in 11 days, from the start. For how many days did they work together? A. 1 day B. 2 days C. 6 days D. 5 days B is twice as efficient as A and A can do a piece of work in 15 days.
Solution
To determine how many days A and B worked together, let's break this problem into steps:
Step 1: Define Work and Efficiency
- Let the total work be W (we'll represent the work in units for simplicity).
- A can complete the work in 15 days, so A's efficiency is:
- B is twice as efficient as A, so B's efficiency is:
Step 2: Set Up the Timeline
- A started the work and worked alone for some days, say .
- After days, B joined A, and they worked together for days.
- The total work completed in 11 days is .
Step 3: Write the Equation for Total Work
The total work can be expressed as:
Substitute their efficiencies:
Simplify:
Step 4: Solve for
Eliminate fractions by multiplying through by 15:
Expand and simplify:
So, A worked alone for days.
Step 5: Determine Days Worked Together
Since the total duration is 11 days, the days A and B worked together is:
Final Answer:
The correct option is B. 2 days.
Would you like a detailed explanation of any step? 😊
Related Questions:
- How is efficiency calculated in problems involving work?
- If B were three times as efficient as A, how would the solution change?
- How does changing the total time (e.g., 12 days) affect the result?
- Can this problem be solved using ratios instead of equations?
- What if A and B started working together from the beginning? How long would they take to complete the work?
Tip:
Always start such problems by defining the total work as a unit (e.g., ) to make calculations easier.
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Work and Time
Efficiency
Algebra
Formulas
Work done by A = Efficiency of A × Time
Work done by A and B = (Efficiency of A + Efficiency of B) × Time
Theorems
Work and Efficiency Theorem
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 7-9