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:

Efficiency of A=W15=115 units of work per day.\text{Efficiency of A} = \frac{W}{15} = \frac{1}{15} \text{ units of work per day}.

  • B is twice as efficient as A, so B's efficiency is:

Efficiency of B=2×115=215 units of work per day.\text{Efficiency of B} = 2 \times \frac{1}{15} = \frac{2}{15} \text{ units of work per day}.

Step 2: Set Up the Timeline

  • A started the work and worked alone for some days, say xx.
  • After xx days, B joined A, and they worked together for 11x11 - x days.
  • The total work completed in 11 days is WW.

Step 3: Write the Equation for Total Work

The total work WW can be expressed as:

Work done by A alone+Work done by A and B together=W.\text{Work done by A alone} + \text{Work done by A and B together} = W.

Substitute their efficiencies:

x115+(11x)(115+215)=W.x \cdot \frac{1}{15} + (11 - x) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{15} + \frac{2}{15} \right) = W.

Simplify:

x115+(11x)315=1.x \cdot \frac{1}{15} + (11 - x) \cdot \frac{3}{15} = 1.

Step 4: Solve for xx

Eliminate fractions by multiplying through by 15:

x+3(11x)=15.x + 3(11 - x) = 15.

Expand and simplify:

x+333x=15.x + 33 - 3x = 15.

2x+33=15.-2x + 33 = 15.

2x=1533.-2x = 15 - 33.

2x=18.-2x = -18.

x=9.x = 9.

So, A worked alone for x=9x = 9 days.

Step 5: Determine Days Worked Together

Since the total duration is 11 days, the days A and B worked together is:

11x=119=2 days.11 - x = 11 - 9 = 2 \text{ days}.

Final Answer:

The correct option is B. 2 days.


Would you like a detailed explanation of any step? 😊

Related Questions:

  1. How is efficiency calculated in problems involving work?
  2. If B were three times as efficient as A, how would the solution change?
  3. How does changing the total time (e.g., 12 days) affect the result?
  4. Can this problem be solved using ratios instead of equations?
  5. 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., W=1W = 1) 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