A group of men committed to completing a task in 20 days. The work was completed in 40 days because 5 workers did not come for work. Determine the number of men who originally agreed to do the work.

10

Formula to be used:

\( { M}_{1 } \) x \( { D}_{1 } \) = \( { M}_{2 } \) x \( { D}_{2 } \)

where M = No. of men, D = No. of Days

⇒ Putting values in the formula according to the question,

⇒ M x 20 = (M - 5) x 40

⇒ M = 10 

Therefore, the number of men who originally agreed to do the work are 10.