Math Tutorial : Word Problem

WORK WORD PROBLEM

General Formula

For two workers:

1/A + 1/B = 1/T

For three workers:

1/B + 1/B + 1/C = 1/T

where

A : time for A working alone

B : time for B working alone

C : time for C working alone

T : time working together.

Example 1

Nath can do the laundry in 2 hours. Niel can finish the same work in 3 hours. Working together, they can
finish the laundry in:

Substitute values in the equation

1/Nath + 1/Niel = 1/Together

1/2 + 1/3 = 1/T

Add dissimiar fractions

(3+2)/6 = 1/T

Simplify

5/6 = 1/T

Invert

T = 6/5 or 1 1/5 hours

Shortcut:

Together = product / Sum

T = (2 × 3)/(2+3)

T = 6/5 or 1 1/5 hours

To convert 1/5 into minutes, just multiply it by 60.

Then,

(1/5)(60) = 12 min

Answer : 1 hr & 12 min

Problem 2

Nath can clean the house in 4 hours. If Niel helps him, they both can finish the cleaning in 2 hours. How
long will it take Niel to clean the house alone?

Substitute values in the formula

1/Nath + 1/Niel = 1/Together

1/4 + 1/B = 1/2

Perform the APE

1/B = 1/2 - 1/4

Add dissimilar fractions

1/B = (2-1)/4

Simplify

1/B = 1/4

Invert

B = 4 hours

Shortcut:

A Alone = Product / Difference

A = [B × T] /[B - T]

Niel = (4 × 2) / (4 - 2)

= 8/2

= 4 hours
B Alone = [A × T] / [A - T]

If the problem stated that a person started part of the work and then he is helped by someone, then the
formula to be used is:

t/A + x[1/A + 1/B] = 1

where:

t : time spent by A working a part of the job.

x : remaining time to finish the work together

Example 3

Nath can collect 200 pieces of pebbles in 10 minutes. After he had collected some pebbles for 3 minutes,
Niel joined him and they finished collecting in 2 minutes. If Niel do it all alone, how long must he spend
collecting the same number of pebbles?

Given

t=3

x=2

A = 10

B=?

Substitute

t/A + x[1/A + 1/B] = 1

3/10 + 2[1/10 + 1/B] = 1

Distribute

3/10 + 2/10 + 2/B = 1

Add similar fractions

5/10 + 2/B = 1

Perform APE

2/B = 1 - 5/10

2/B = (10-5)/10

Simplify
2/B = 5/10

Cross Multiply

2*10 = 5*B

20 = 5B

Divide both sides by 5

B = 4 minutes

Note: Yung work together na 2 minutes ni Nath & Niel ay hindi pareho dun sa together nila kung 200 pcs
of pebbles na kokolektahin. Sa problem, nakakolekta na si Nath for 3 min and tinulungan lang sya ni Niel
para makumpleto ang pebbles.

If the problem stated that two persons started a work and then one person leaves after some time, the
formula below is useful:

t(1/A + 1/B) + x/A = 1

Example 4

Nath and Niel can unload one truck of gravel in 4 hours and 5 hours respectively. They started working
together and after 2 hours, Nath left. How long will it take Niel to complete the unloading of gravel
alone?

Given

A=4

B=5

t=2

x=?

Substitute the given to the formula

t(1/A + 1/B) + x/B = 1

(2)(1/4 + 1/5) + x/5 = 1

Distribute

2/4 + 2/5 + x/5 = 1

Perform APE
x/5 = 1 - (2/4+2/5)

Add dissimilar fractions

x/5 = 1 - (10+8)/20

x/5 = 1 - 18/20

x/5 = (20-18)/20

x/5 = 2/20

Multiply both sides by 5

x = (5*2)/20

x = 10/20

x = 1/2 h

Example 5

Nath, Tan, and Niel can assemble a doorknob in 5, 10, 15 minutes respectively. If they work together,
how long will they finish doing it?

Formula:

1/A + 1/B + 1/C = 1/T

1/5 + 1/10 + 1/15 = 1/T

LCM (5, 10, 15) = 30

Multiplying the whole equation by 30 we get:

30/5 + 30/10 + 30/15 = 30/T

6 + 3 + 2 = 30/T

11 = 30/T

Cross Multiply

T = 30/11 or 2 8/11 min

Another Solution:

T = [ABC] / [AB + BC + AC]

= [5×10×15] / [5×10 + 10×15 + 5×15]

= 750 / [50+150+75]

= 750 / 275

= 2 200/275

= 2 8/11 minutes

Given examples are all made up by the name mentioned below.

If you find this helpful, kindly share it with others.

Prepared by:

Nathaniel J. Jayme

June 17, 2019