Maths : Basic Numeracy

Q 206 / 370

UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

A person X can complete 20% of work in 8 days and another person Y can complete 25% of the same work in 6 days. If they work together, in how many days will 40% of the work be completed?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (1)

To determine the time required to complete 40% of the work when X and Y work together, first calculate the individual time each person takes to complete the entire work.

  • Person X completes 20% of the work in 8 days. Therefore, X completes 100% of the work in 8×10020=8×5=40 days.
  • Person Y completes 25% of the work in 6 days. Therefore, Y completes 100% of the work in 6×10025=6×4=24 days.

Next, calculate the time taken for X and Y to complete 100% of the work together. Using the formula for combined work rate:

Combined time =TimeX×TimeYTimeX+TimeY=40×2440+24=96064=15 days.

Finally, calculate the time required to complete 40% of the work:

Time for 40% work =40100×15=0.4×15=6 days.

Incorrect Options:

Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect as the calculated time for completing 40% of the work when X and Y work together is 6 days, which corresponds to Option 1.