Question

A and B can do a piece of work in 6 days and 4 days respectively. A started the work; worked at it for 2 days and then was joined by B. Find the total time taken to complete the work.

Answer 1

\[\text{ A can do a work in 6 days, and B can do the same work in 4 days } . \]
\[ \therefore \text{ Work done by A in 2 days } = \frac{2}{6} = \frac{1}{3}\]
\[\text{ Remaining work } = 1 - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{3}\]
\[ \therefore \text{ Work done by }  \left( A + B \right)\text{ in 1  day } = \left( \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{4} \right)\]
\[ = \frac{2 + 3}{12} = \frac{5}{12}\]
\[ \because \frac{5}{12}\text{ th work is done by A and B in 1 day }  . \]
\[ \therefore \frac{2}{3}\text{ rd work will be done by A and B in } \left( \frac{12}{5} \times \frac{2}{3} \right) \text{ days or } \frac{8}{5} \text{ days }  . \]
\[ \therefore \text{ Total time taken } = \left( \frac{8}{5} + 2 \right) \text{ days } = \frac{18}{5} \text{ days }  = 3\frac{3}{5} \text{ days } \]