Algebra 1: 1AL3-4 Work Problems

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MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. On the repair of a security system, two locksmiths are working. The first can finish the job alone in 3
hours and the second in 15 hours. Both locksmiths work together on the repair for 1 hours, and then the
second locksmith leaves. How long must the first locksmith work to finish the job? Round your answer
to the nearest minute.
a. 9 hours c. 2 hours 40 minutes
b. 1 hours 48 minutes d. 1 hours 3 minutes
ANS: B
Always remember in problems involving “work” that you must first put all of the information into the
common unit: “what fraction of the job is done in one hour?” (or whatever time unit is given). Here:
1
• locksmith 1 can do: of the job in one hour.
3
1
• locksmith 2 can do: of the job in one hour.
15
1 1
Together, they can do: of the job in one hour.
3 15

The problem says that they work together 1 hours so when the second locksmith leaves, they have
finished:
1 1
1 of the job.
3 15

Now, let x number of hours that it takes the first locksmith to finish the job. Remember that every
1
hour, this locksmith does of the job.
3
VERY IMPORTANT: The whole job is “1” .
1 1 1
So: 1 x 1. This is our equation. (Whew!!)
3 15 3

We leave the solution of this equation to the reader (aren’t we the meanies...).
Anyway: x 1.8 hours. The integer part of this number is the hours.
Subtracting the integer part, we have: 0.8 60 48 minutes.
The answer is: The first locksmith must work 1 hours 48 minutes.

Feedback
A The first locksmith remained, not the second!
B Correct!
C This is a decent guess, but it is wrong.
1 1
D You forgot to find the common denominator when adding .
3 15

1
PTS: 4 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0
OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. TOP: Algebra 1 KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving
NOT: whole number of minutes

2
2. Two pickers are harvesting a vineyard. The first can finish the job alone in 6 days and the second in 8
days. Both pickers work together on the job for 2 days, and then the first picker stops working. How
long must the second picker work to finish the job? Round your answer to the nearest hour.
a. 3 days 8 hours c. 5 days 17 hours
b. 2 days 12 hours d. 3 days 14 hours
ANS: A
Always remember in problems involving “work” that you must first put all of the information into the
common unit: “what fraction of the job is done in one day?” (or whatever time unit is given). Here:
1
• picker 1 can do: of the job in one day.
6
1
• picker 2 can do: of the job in one day.
8
1 1
Together, they can do: of the job in one day.
6 8

The problem says that they work together 2 days so when the first picker leaves, they have finished:
1 1
2 of the job.
6 8

Now, let x number of days that it takes the second picker to finish the job. Remember that every day,
1
this picker does of the job.
8
VERY IMPORTANT: The whole job is “1” .
1 1 1
So: 2 x 1. This is our equation. (Whew!!)
6 8 8

We leave the solution of this equation to the reader (aren’t we the meanies...).
Anyway: x 3.333333333333 days. The integer part of this number is the days.
Subtracting the integer part, we have: 0.333333333333 24 8 8 hours.
The answer is: The second picker must work 3 days 8 hours.

Feedback
A Correct!
B The second picker remained, not the first!
1 1
C You forgot to find the common denominator when adding .
6 8
D This is a decent guess, but it is wrong.

PTS: 4 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. TOP: Algebra 1 KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving
NOT: whole number of hours

3
3. On the repair of a tv, two electricians are working. The first can finish the job alone in 13 hours and the
second in 21 hours. Both electricians work together on the repair for 1 hours, and then the first
electrician leaves. How long must the second electrician work to finish the job? Round your answer to
the nearest minute.
a. 18 hours 23 minutes c. 18 hours 38 minutes
b. 11 hours 23 minutes d. 19 hours 46 minutes
ANS: A
Always remember in problems involving “work” that you must first put all of the information into the
common unit: “what fraction of the job can be done in one hour” (or whatever time unit is given)? Here:
1
• electrician 1 can do: of the job in one hour.
13
1
• electrician 2 can do: of the job in one hour.
21
1 1
Together, they can do: of the job in one hour.
13 21

The problem says that they work together 1 hours so when the first electrician leaves, they have
finished:
1 1
1 of the job.
13 21

Now, let x number of hours that it takes the second electrician to finish the job. Remember that every
1
hour, this electrician does of the job.
21
VERY IMPORTANT: The whole job is “1” .
1 1 1
So: 1 x 1. This is our equation. (Whew!!)
13 21 21

We leave the solution of this equation to the reader (aren’t we the meanies...).
Anyway: x 18.384615384615 hours. The integer part of this number is the hours.
Subtracting the integer part, we have: 0.384615384615 60 23.07692 23 minutes.
The answer is: The second electrician must work 18 hours 23 minutes.

Feedback
A Correct!
B The second electrician remained, not the first!
C This is a decent guess, but it is wrong.
1 1
D You forgot to find the common denominator when adding .
13 21

PTS: 5 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. TOP: Algebra 1 KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving
NOT: must round minutes

4
4. Two pipelayers are laying a pipeline. The first can finish the job alone in 14 days and the second in 11
days. Both pipelayers work together on the job for 4 days, and then the second pipelayer stops working.
How long must the first pipelayer work to finish the job? Round your answer to the nearest hour.
a. 3 days 21 hours c. 9 days 12 hours
b. 4 days 4 hours d. 4 days 22 hours
ANS: D
Always remember in problems involving “work” that you must first put all of the information into the
common unit: “what fraction of the job is done in one day?” (or whatever time unit is given). Here:
1
• pipelayer 1 can do: of the job in one day.
14
1
• pipelayer 2 can do: of the job in one day.
11
1 1
Together, they can do: of the job in one day.
14 11

The problem says that they work together 4 days so when the second pipelayer leaves, they have
finished:
1 1
4 of the job.
14 11

Now, let x number of days that it takes the first pipelayer to finish the job. Remember that every day,
1
this pipelayer does of the job.
14
VERY IMPORTANT: The whole job is “1” .
1 1 1
So: 4 x 1. This is our equation. (Whew!!)
14 11 14

We leave the solution of this equation to the reader (aren’t we the meanies...).
Anyway: x 4.90909090909 days. The integer part of this number is the days.
Subtracting the integer part, we have: 0.90909090909 24 21.81818 22 hours.
The answer is: The first pipelayer must work 4 days 22 hours.

Feedback
A The first pipelayer remained, not the second!
B This is a decent guess, but it is wrong.
1 1
C You forgot to find the common denominator when adding .
14 11
D Correct!

PTS: 5 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. TOP: Algebra 1 KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving
NOT: must round hours

5
5. On the repair of a tractor, two mechanics are working. The first can finish the job alone in 6 hours and
the second in 5 hours. The first mechanic works alone on the repair for 3 hours, and then the second
mechanic comes to work. How long must both mechanics work to finish the job? Round your answer to
the nearest minute.
a. 1 hours 56 minutes c. 1 hours 10 minutes
b. 2 hours 30 minutes d. 1 hours 22 minutes
ANS: D
Always remember in problems involving “work” that you must first put all of the information into the
common unit: “what fraction of the job is done in one hour?” (or whatever time unit is given). Here:
1
• mechanic 1 can do: of the job in one hour.
6
1
• mechanic 2 can do: of the job in one hour.
5
1 1
Together, they can do: of the job in one hour.
6 5

1
The problem says that the first mechanic works alone for 3 hours, so he/she has finished 3 of the job
6
when the second mechanic comes..
Now, let x number of hours that it takes both mechanics to finish the job.
1 1
This means that together they do: x of the job
6 5

VERY IMPORTANT: The whole job is “1” .

1 1 1
So: 3 x 1. This is our equation. (Whew!!)
6 6 5

We leave the solution of this equation to the reader (aren’t we the meanies...).
Anyway: x 1.363636363636 hours. The integer part of this number is the hours.
Subtracting the integer part, we have: 0.363636363636 60 21.81818 22 minutes.
The answer is: The first mechanic must work 1 hours 22 minutes.

Feedback
A This is just a guess. Work the problem.
B Both mechanics remained to finish the job!
C This is a decent guess, but it is wrong.
D Correct!

PTS: 5 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. TOP: Algebra 1 KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving
NOT: must round minutes

6
6. Two pumps are filling a reservoir. The first can finish the job alone in 21 days and the second in 12
days. The second pump works alone on the job for 2 hours, and then the first pump comes to work. How
long must both pumps work to finish the job? Round your answer to the nearest hour.
a. 6 days 1 hours c. 11 days 22 hours
b. 17 days 12 hours d. 6 days 9 hours
ANS: D
Always remember in problems involving “work” that you must first put all of the information into the
common unit: “what fraction of the job is done in one day?” (or whatever time unit is given). Here:
1
• pump 1 can do: of the job in one day.
21
1
• pump 2 can do: of the job in one day.
12
1 1
Together, they can do: of the job in one day.
21 12

1
The problem says that the second pump works alone for 2 days, so he/she has finished 2 of the job
12
when the first pump comes..
Now, let x number of days that it takes both pumps to finish the job.
1 1
This means that together they do: x of the job
21 12

VERY IMPORTANT: The whole job is “1” .

1 1 1
So: 2 x 1. This is our equation. (Whew!!)
12 21 12

We leave the solution of this equation to the reader (aren’t we the meanies...).
Anyway: x 6.363636363636 days. The integer part of this number is the days.
Subtracting the integer part, we have: 0.363636363636 24 8.72727 9 hours.
The answer is: The second pump must work 6 days 9 hours.

Feedback
A This is a decent guess, but it is wrong.
B Both pumps remained to finish the job!
C This is just a guess. Work the problem.
D Correct!

PTS: 5 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. TOP: Algebra 1 KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving
NOT: must round hours

7
7. On the repair of a tv, two electricians are working. The first electrician can do the job alone in 16 hours.
Together they can do the job in 9 hours. How long does it take the second electrician to do the job alone?
Round your answer to the nearest minute.
a. 19 hours 59 minutes c. 7 hours
b. 20 hours 34 minutes d. 13 hours 34 minutes
ANS: B
Always remember in problems involving “work” that you must first put all of the information into the
common unit: “what fraction of the job is done in one hour?” (or whatever time unit is given). Here:
1
• electrician 1 can do: of the job in one hour.
16
Let x hours it takes for the second electrician to do the whole job. Then:
1
• electrician 2 can do: of the job in one hour.
x
1 1
So, from this information: together they can do: of the job in one hour.
16 x

1
The problem states that they can do: of the job in one hour.
9
1 1 1
So: and this is our equation.
16 x 9

We leave the solution of this equation to the reader (aren’t we the meanies...).
Anyway: x 20.571428571429 hours. The integer part of this number is the hours.
Subtracting the integer part, we have: 0.571428571429 60 34.28571 34 minutes.
The answer is: The second electrician must work 20 hours 34 minutes.

Feedback
A This is a decent guess, but it is wrong.
B Correct!
C This is absolutely the wrong way to do “work” problems.
D This is just a guess.

PTS: 3 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. TOP: Algebra 1 KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving
NOT: must round minutes

8
8. Two pickers are harvesting a vineyard. The first picker can do the job alone in 22 days. Together they
can do the job in 12 days. How long does it take the second picker to do the job alone? Round your
answer to the nearest hour.
a. 16 days 24 hours c. 26 days 10 hours
b. 10 days d. 26 days 59 hours
ANS: C
Always remember in problems involving “work” that you must first put all of the information into the
common unit: “what fraction of the job is done in one day?” (or whatever time unit is given). Here:
1
• picker 1 can do: of the job in one day.
22
Let x days it takes for the second picker to do the whole job. Then:
1
• picker 2 can do: of the job in one day.
x
1 1
So, from this information: together they can do: of the job in one day.
22 x

1
The problem states that they can do: of the job in one day.
12
1 1 1
So: and this is our equation.
22 x 12

We leave the solution of this equation to the reader (aren’t we the meanies...).
Anyway: x 26.4 days. The integer part of this number is the days.
Subtracting the integer part, we have: 0.4 24 9.6 10 hours.
The answer is: The second picker must work 26 days 10 hours.

Feedback
A This is just a guess.
B This is absolutely the wrong way to do “work” problems.
C Correct!
D This is a decent guess, but it is wrong.

PTS: 3 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. TOP: Algebra 1 KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving
NOT: must round hours

9
NUMERIC RESPONSE

1. Kevin and Cathy are milking the cows. Together it takes them 6 hours. Last time Kevin did the job alone
and the time before that Cathy did the job alone, but in 9 more hours than Kevin. How many hours does
it take Kevin to do the job alone?

ANS: 9

PTS: 3 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving

2. Cynthia takes 2 hours to wash 141 dishes. Martin takes 2 hours to wash 313 dishes. How many hours
will it take them together to wash 454 dishes?

ANS: 2

PTS: 3 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving

3. If it takes 11 bulldozers to dig a hole in 32 hours, how many bulldozers will it take to dig a hole in 16
hours?

ANS: 22

PTS: 1 DIF: Grade 8 REF: 1ALG.15.0

OBJ: Students apply algebraic techniques to solve rate problems, work problems, and percent mixture
problems. KEY: work | real-world problems | equations-solving

10