A and B can do a piece of work in 12 days. B and C together can do it in 15 days. If A is twice as good a workman as C, find the number of days in which B alone can do the work?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 20 days
Let the daily work rates of A, B, C be $a, b, c$ respectively.
Given:
- $a + b = \frac{1}{12}$ …(1)
- $b + c = \frac{1}{15}$ …(2)
- A is twice as good as C → $a = 2c$
Substitute $a = 2c$ into (1):
$2c + b = \frac{1}{12} \quad …(3)$
From (2):
$b = \frac{1}{15} – c$
Substitute into (3):
$2c + \left(\frac{1}{15} - c\right) = \frac{1}{12}$
$c + \frac{1}{15} = \frac{1}{12}$
$c = \frac{1}{12} - \frac{1}{15}$
LCM of 12 and 15 = 60:
$c = \frac{5 - 4}{60} = \frac{1}{60}$
So:
$a = 2c = \frac{2}{60} = \frac{1}{30}$
Now find b:
$b = \frac{1}{15} - \frac{1}{60} = \frac{4 - 1}{60} = \frac{3}{60} = \frac{1}{20}$
Time taken by B alone:
$= \frac{1}{b} = 20 \text{ days}$