📚 Part of: Indian Society And Culture Mcqs: Caste System, Social Hierarchy, And Geographical Knowledge

A can do a work in 30 days. He worked at it for 6 days after which B joined him. They finished the remaining work in 12 days. In how many days can B alone do the work.

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Correct Answer: B) 30 days.

Exam Relevance: CAT, MAT, GRE, GMAT, Bank PO, SSC CGL

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes:

In work and time problems, the efficiency of individuals is often calculated as the fraction of work done per unit time. When two or more individuals work together, their combined efficiency is the sum of their individual efficiencies. The total work is usually considered as 1 unit, and the time taken to complete the work is inversely proportional to the efficiency.

Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing the total work with the work done by A alone.
  • Misunderstanding the combined work rate when B joins A.
  • Incorrectly calculating the remaining work after A has worked alone.
Explanation:

To solve this problem, we need to understand the concept of work and time, specifically how to calculate the efficiency of individuals and their combined work rate.

First, let's determine the efficiency of A. Since A can complete the work in 30 days, his efficiency is:

\[ \text{Efficiency of A} = \frac{1}{30} \text{ work per day} \]

A worked alone for 6 days, so the work done by A in 6 days is:

\[ \text{Work done by A in 6 days} = 6 \times \frac{1}{30} = \frac{6}{30} = \frac{1}{5} \]

The remaining work after A worked for 6 days is:

\[ \text{Remaining work} = 1 - \frac{1}{5} = \frac{4}{5} \]

Now, A and B together completed the remaining \(\frac{4}{5}\) of the work in 12 days. Let's denote the efficiency of B as \( \frac{1}{x} \) work per day. The combined efficiency of A and B is:

\[ \text{Combined efficiency of A and B} = \frac{1}{30} + \frac{1}{x} \]

Since they completed \(\frac{4}{5}\) of the work in 12 days, we can write:

\[ \left( \frac{1}{30} + \frac{1}{x} \right) \times 12 = \frac{4}{5} \]

Solving for \(x\):

\[ \frac{12}{30} + \frac{12}{x} = \frac{4}{5} \]

\[ \frac{2}{5} + \frac{12}{x} = \frac{4}{5} \]

\[ \frac{12}{x} = \frac{4}{5} - \frac{2}{5} \]

\[ \frac{12}{x} = \frac{2}{5} \]

\[ x = \frac{12 \times 5}{2} \]

\[ x = 30 \]

Thus, B can complete the work alone in 30 days. This matches the claimed correct answer, and the detailed calculation confirms that B's efficiency is indeed \(\frac{1}{30}\) work per day.

This problem demonstrates the importance of understanding individual and combined efficiencies in work and time problems. It also highlights the need to carefully calculate the remaining work and the combined work rate when multiple individuals are involved.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. If B could complete the work in 24 days, his efficiency would be 1/24 per day. However, the combined efficiency of A and B working together for 12 days to complete the remaining work does not match this efficiency. The correct calculation shows that B's efficiency is 1/30 per day.
  • Option B: This option is correct. B's efficiency is 1/30 per day, which means he can complete the work alone in 30 days. This is derived from the combined work rate of A and B and the work done by A alone initially.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. If B could complete the work in 40 days, his efficiency would be 1/40 per day. This does not align with the combined work rate of A and B working together for 12 days to complete the remaining work. The correct efficiency of B is 1/30 per day.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. If B could complete the work in 20 days, his efficiency would be 1/20 per day. This does not match the combined work rate of A and B working together for 12 days to complete the remaining work. The correct efficiency of B is 1/30 per day.

Mnemonic: Work and Time: "WAT" - Work Alone Together

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