Multiple choice

A contractor planned to finish a work in 12 days and employed a certain number of men. However, 6 of them remained absent from the very first day. The rest could finish the work in 20 days. Find the number of men originally employed.

  1. 15

  2. 18

  3. 20

  4. 24
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Let x be the number of men. Work = 12x. After 6 men left, the remaining (x-6) men finished in 20 days. 12x = 20(x-6). 12x = 20x - 120, so 8x = 120, x = 15.

AI explanation

Using the formula M1 * D1 = M2 * D2, let the original number of men be M. The planned work was M * 12 days. Because 6 men were absent, the work was finished by (M - 6) men in 20 days. Equating the work gives 12M = 20(M - 6), which simplifies to 12M = 20M - 120. Solving for M gives a value of 15 men originally employed.

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