Multiple choice

A and B can complete a piece of work in 20 and 30 days, respectively. A and B started the work and after 10 days, A left the job and then C joined B and completed the job by taking 1 day more than the estimated time. How many days would C take to complete the work independently?

  1. 20

  2. 24

  3. 30

  4. 45

  5. 50

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A and B work for 10 days: 10 * (1/20 + 1/30) = 10 * (5/60) = 5/6. Remaining work = 1/6. B and C finish this in 1 day more than estimated. Estimated time for A+B = 1 / (1/20 + 1/30) = 12 days. They worked 10, so 2 days left. C and B finish in 2+1 = 3 days. 3 * (1/30 + 1/C) = 1/6. 1/30 + 1/C = 1/18. 1/C = 1/18 - 1/30 = (5-3)/90 = 2/90 = 1/45. C = 45 days.

AI explanation

The combined rate of A and B is (1/20) + (1/30) = 1/12 of the work per day. Over 10 days, they complete 10/12, leaving 2/12 or 1/6 of the work. The estimated time was 12 days, so B and C had 3 days left, but they took 4 days; however, evaluating C's time directly from the remaining 1/6 of the work completed in 4 days yields C's rate at 1/24. Wait, the problem states they took 1 day more than the total estimated time of 12 days, meaning B and C took 3 days to finish the remaining 1/6 of the work. Their combined rate is (1/6) / 3 = 1/18. Subtracting B's rate of 1/30 gives C's rate: (1/18) - (1/30) = (5 - 3) / 90 = 2/90 = 1/45. Therefore, C would take 45 days to complete the work independently.