• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Simple math problem

T

tontod

Diamond Member
"If it takes 3 people 1 day to build a home, how long does it take 7 people to build two homes?"

I know its easy, but the solution escapes me.

 
Find the rate that each single worker builds a house. It's 3 days for one person to build a home. That's six days for two homes. Now find out how many days it would take seven people to do two homes. 🙂
 
Well if 3 ppl can build a home in a day, then 6 people can build 2 in one day also. So it has to be less than one day.

--GiLtY
 
Here's what I'm getting:

1 person 1 house 3 days
2 people 1 house 1.5 days
3 people 1 house 1 day
4 people 1 house .75 days
5 people 1 house .6 days
6 people 1 house .5 days
7 people 1 house 3/7 days
7 people *2* houses 2*(3/7) days = 6/7 days
 
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Here's what I'm getting:

1 person 1 house 3 days
2 people 1 house 1.5 days
3 people 1 house 1 day
4 people 1 house .75 days
5 people 1 house .6 days
6 people 1 house .5 days
7 people 1 house 3/7 days
7 people *2* houses 2*(3/7) days = 6/7 days
Click to expand...

SSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! YOU DOPE! Don't give him the answer, make him earn it :laugh:
 
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Here's what I'm getting:

1 person 1 house 3 days
2 people 1 house 1.5 days
3 people 1 house 1 day
4 people 1 house .75 days
5 people 1 house .6 days
6 people 1 house .5 days
7 people 1 house 3/7 days
7 people *2* houses 2*(3/7) days = 6/7 days
Click to expand...

Bingo!

You can use dimensional analysis too.

1/3 house/day, for 7 ppl it's 7/3 house/day. To figure out how many day to build two houses just do 2 houses divide it by 7 house/3 day, and you get 6/7 day (the "house" unit gets cancelled out).

--GiLtY
 
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Here's what I'm getting:

1 person 1 house 3 days
2 people 1 house 1.5 days
3 people 1 house 1 day
4 people 1 house .75 days
5 people 1 house .6 days
6 people 1 house .5 days
7 people 1 house 3/7 days
7 people *2* houses 2*(3/7) days = 6/7 days
Click to expand...

That's correct.
 
yes that solution is correct.

although really this is not that great a question as it assumes each person works at the same rate.

You could have Norm Abrams and 2 lazyasses on your hands.

This type of question is more often worded as the hoses filling a swimming pool situation.
 
Originally posted by: amoeba
yes that solution is correct.

although really this is not that great a question as it assumes each person works at the same rate.

You could have Norm Abrams and 2 lazyasses on your hands.

This type of question is more often worded as the hoses filling a swimming pool situation.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but without any more information we have to make such assumption. However I think the SAT often puts a trick-out version of this kind of question on their test.

--GiLtY
 
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
all assuming they all build at the same rate. dont these problems usually involve parties that perform work at different rates?
Click to expand...

Well he did say it was a simple math problem. Including different working rates justs makes it more complicated to solve.
 
1 house = 3 man/days
2 houses = 6 man/days

The answer is two weeks if the foreman doesn't like your attitude.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top