Comprehensive Guide to Time and
Work, Pipe and Cistern, and Work &
Wages Problems
[Link] and Work (Detailed Explanation)
Core Concepts
Work Rate (Efficiency):
1.
o If a person can complete a job inn days, their work rate = 1/n per day.
o Example: If A completes a job in 5 days, his rate = 1/5 per day.
o Total Work (W):
2. Usually considered as 1 (whole work).
3. Can also be expressed in terms of man-days (e.g., 10 men × 5 days =
50 man-days).
o Combined Work:
4. If two people work together, their rates add up.
Time Taken Together:
5. Efficiency vs. Time:
6. Efficiency (Work Rate) is inversely proportional to Time.
7. If A is twice as efficient as B, then A takes half the time B takes.
Problem Types & Methods
(A) Individual and Combined Work
Example:
A can complete a job in 10 days, B in 15 days. How long if they work together?
Solution:
(B) More Workers, Less Time (Inverse Proportion)
Example:
If 12 workers can build a wall in 10 days, how many workers are needed to build it
in 5 days?
Solution:
(C) Work Done in Stages
Example:
A works for 3 days alone, then B joins, and together they finish in 2 more days. If A
takes 10 days alone and B takes 15 days alone, find total time.
Solution:
(D) Alternate Work (A and B Take Turns)
Example:
A and B can do a job in 12 and 16 days respectively. They work alternately (A first,
then B, then A, etc.). Find total time taken.
2. Pipes and Cisterns (Detailed Explanation)
Core Concepts
1. Inlet Pipe: Fills the tank (positive work rate).
2. Example: A pipe fills a tank in 4 hours → Rate = 1/4.
3. Outlet Pipe: Empties the tank (negative work rate).
1. Example: A pipe empties a tank in 6 hours → Rate = −1/6.
Net Work Rate: Sum of all filling and emptying rates.
Problem Types & Methods
(A) Two Pipes Filling Together
Example:
Pipe A fills in 6 hours, Pipe B fills in 8 hours. How long if both are open?
Solution:
(B) One Filling, One Emptying
Example:
Pipe A fills in 10 hours, Pipe B empties in 15 hours. If both are open, how long to fill?
(C) Partial Filling/Emptying
Example:
A tap fills a tank in 12 hours, but due to a leak, it takes 15 hours. How long does the
leak take to empty a full tank?
Solution:
3. Work and Wages (Detailed Explanation)
Core Concepts
1. Wages are distributed in the ratio of work done.
2. Work ratio = Efficiency ratio = Inverse of Time ratio.
o If A takes 5 days and B takes 10 days, their work ratio = 2:1.
3. If workers work for different durations, wages are split based on
work contribution.
Problem Types & Methods
(A) Same Work Duration
Example:
A and B can do a job in 10 and 20 days respectively. They earn ₹6000. Find
their shares.
Solution:
(B) Different Work Durations
Example:
A works for 5 days, B works for 7 days. A can complete the job in 10 days, B
in 14 days. Total wage = ₹3400. Find their shares.
Solution:
(C) Group Work with Wages
Example:
6 men and 8 women can do a job in 10 days. 4 men and 10 women can do it
in 12 days. If a man earns ₹500/day and a woman earns ₹300/day, find total
wages for completing the job.
Solution:
4. Shortcut Techniques
1. LCM Method:
o Assume total work as LCM of given times for easier calculations.
o Example: If A takes 6 days and B takes 9 days, assume work = 18 units.
2. Then, A’s rate = 3 units/day, B’s rate = 2 units/day.
3. Efficiency Ratio:
o If A:B=3:2, then time ratio = 2:3.
o Chain Rule for Workers:
