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# Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes

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The Official Guide For GMAT® Quantitative Review, 2ND Edition

Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes 2 days longer to produce w widgets than Machine Y. At these rates, if the two machines together produce (5/4)w widgets in 3 days, how many days would it take Machine X alone to produce 2w widgets?

(A) 4
(B) 6
(C) 8
(D) 10
(E) 12

Problem Solving
Question: 173
Category: Algebra; Applied problems
Page: 85
Difficulty: 600

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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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18 Mar 2014, 01:39
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SOLUTION

Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes 2 days longer to produce w widgets than Machine Y. At these rates, if the two machines together produce (5/4)w widgets in 3 days, how many days would it take Machine X alone to produce 2w widgets?

(A) 4
(B) 6
(C) 8
(D) 10
(E) 12

For work problems one of the most important thin to know is $$rate*time=job \ done$$.

Let the time needed for machine X to produce $$w$$ widgets be $$t$$ days, so the rate of X would be $$rate=\frac{job \ done}{time}=\frac{w}{t}$$;

As "machine X takes 2 days longer to produce $$w$$ widgets than machines Y" then time needed for machine Y to produce $$w$$ widgets would be $$t-2$$ days, so the rate of Y would be $$rate=\frac{job \ done}{time}=\frac{w}{t-2}$$;

Combined rate of machines X and Y in 1 day would be $$\frac{w}{t}+\frac{w}{t-2}$$ (remember we can sum the rates). In 3 days two machines together produce 5w/4 widgets so: $$3(\frac{w}{t}+\frac{w}{t-2})=\frac{5w}{4}$$ --> $$\frac{w}{t}+\frac{w}{t-2}=\frac{5w}{12}$$.

$$\frac{w}{t}+\frac{w}{t-2}=\frac{5w}{12}$$ --> reduce by $$w$$ --> $$\frac{1}{t}+\frac{1}{t-2}=\frac{5}{12}$$.

At this point we can either solve quadratic equation: $$5t^2-34t+24=0$$ --> $$(t-6)(5t-4)=0$$ --> $$t=6$$ or $$t=\frac{4}{5}$$ (which is not a valid solution as in this case $$t-2=-\frac{6}{5}$$, the time needed for machine Y to ptoduce $$w$$ widgets will be negatrive value and it's not possible). So $$t=6$$ days is needed for machine X to produce $$w$$ widgets, hence time needed for machine X to produce $$2w$$ widgets will be $$2t=12$$ days.

OR try to substitute the values from the answer choices. Remember as we are asked to find the time needed for machine X alone to produce $$2w$$ widgets then the answer should be $$2t$$ among answer choices: E work - $$2t=12$$ --> $$t=6$$ --> $$\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{6-2}=\frac{5}{12}$$.

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Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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20 Mar 2014, 01:52
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Time taken by Machine Y = t days

Time taken by Machine X = (t+2) days

Rate of Machine $$X = \frac{w}{t+2}$$
Rate of Machine $$Y = \frac{w}{t}$$

$$\frac{5w}{4}$$ widgets produced in 3 days; so $$\frac{5w}{12}$$ produced in 1 day

Equation setup will be

$$\frac{w}{t+2} + \frac{w}{t} = \frac{5w}{12}$$

Solving,

$$5t^2 - 14t - 24 = 0$$

t = 4

Time taken by Machine X = t+2 = 6 for w

So for 2w; it will be 12

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Last edited by PareshGmat on 14 Aug 2014, 03:01, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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23 Mar 2014, 08:13
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SOLUTION

Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes 2 days longer to produce w widgets than Machine Y. At these rates, if the two machines together produce (5/4)w widgets in 3 days, how many days would it take Machine X alone to produce 2w widgets?

(A) 4
(B) 6
(C) 8
(D) 10
(E) 12

For work problems one of the most important thin to know is $$rate*time=job \ done$$.

Let the time needed for machine X to produce $$w$$ widgets be $$t$$ days, so the rate of X would be $$rate=\frac{job \ done}{time}=\frac{w}{t}$$;

As "machine X takes 2 days longer to produce $$w$$ widgets than machines Y" then time needed for machine Y to produce $$w$$ widgets would be $$t-2$$ days, so the rate of Y would be $$rate=\frac{job \ done}{time}=\frac{w}{t-2}$$;

Combined rate of machines X and Y in 1 day would be $$\frac{w}{t}+\frac{w}{t-2}$$ (remember we can sum the rates). In 3 days two machines together produce 5w/4 widgets so: $$3(\frac{w}{t}+\frac{w}{t-2})=\frac{5w}{4}$$ --> $$\frac{w}{t}+\frac{w}{t-2}=\frac{5w}{12}$$.

$$\frac{w}{t}+\frac{w}{t-2}=\frac{5w}{12}$$ --> reduce by $$w$$ --> $$\frac{1}{t}+\frac{1}{t-2}=\frac{5}{12}$$.

At this point we can either solve quadratic equation: $$5t^2-34t+24=0$$ --> $$(t-6)(5t-4)=0$$ --> $$t=6$$ or $$t=\frac{4}{5}$$ (which is not a valid solution as in this case $$t-2=-\frac{6}{5}$$, the time needed for machine Y to ptoduce $$w$$ widgets will be negatrive value and it's not possible). So $$t=6$$ days is needed for machine X to produce $$w$$ widgets, hence time needed for machine X to produce $$2w$$ widgets will be $$2t=12$$ days.

OR try to substitute the values from the answer choices. Remember as we are asked to find the time needed for machine X alone to produce $$2w$$ widgets then the answer should be $$2t$$ among answer choices: E work - $$2t=12$$ --> $$t=6$$ --> $$\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{6-2}=\frac{5}{12}$$.

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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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16 May 2014, 07:22
QE: 5t^2 - 14t - 24 = 0, How do we get solution = 4?
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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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16 May 2014, 09:32
Expert's post
gciftci wrote:
QE: 5t^2 - 14t - 24 = 0, How do we get solution = 4?

Hope it helps.
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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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27 May 2014, 15:16
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Alternate Solution without algebra using POE.

If it takes 3 days to produce 5/4 widgets, it will take 3*(4/5) = 12/5 days to produce 1 widget.

If two machines were working at the same rate it would take, 2*12/5 i.e. approx 5 days days for x to produce 1 widget. Since machine X is slower it will take more than 5 days to produce 1 widget and subsequently more than 10 days to produce 2 widgets. The only answer more than 10 is 12 days. Answer E
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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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10 Aug 2014, 02:25
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Back tracking method:
We have to find the number of days it takes Machine X alone to produce 2w widgets.

(A) 4
(B) 6
(C) 8
(D) 10
(E) 12

We are given that X and Y produce (5/4)w in 3 days and also given that X take 2 days more than Y.
So to find corresponding value of X and Y use the answer options.
First half the value of X to find number of days it takes Machine X to complete *W* widgets and find the value of Y by reducing 2 from all answer options.

--> X to complete W widgets
(A) X=2 and Y= 2-2 =0
(B) X=3 and Y= 3-2 =1
(C) X=4 and Y= 4-2 =2
(D) X=5 and Y= 5-2 =3
(E) X=6 and Y= 6-2 =4

Now we have all the values of X and Y. Find out the combination X and Y, whose values will produce (5/4)w for 3 days of work.

3(1/6+1/4)=>5/4-->Option (E) gives this value so correct answer is (E)-->12.
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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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20 Oct 2014, 10:39
Hi,

I am new here and I have solved this math correctly. However, here's my problem:

If I consider the number of days required to produce 'W' widgets as 'X' and 'X-2' for X and Y respectively, I end up with the equation 5t^2 - 34t + 24 which yields me 2 solutions, one of which is correct (x=6)

However, when I take 'X' and 'Y' as 'X+2' and 'X', which are the same as above, because either ways, X is taking 2 days longer, I end up with the equation 5x^2 - 14x - 24 which has no solutions (I hope I'm not making some stupid mistake here)

Can someone please clarify this and correct me where I'm wrong.
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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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20 Oct 2014, 20:34
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muhtasimhassan wrote:
Hi,

I am new here and I have solved this math correctly. However, here's my problem:

If I consider the number of days required to produce 'W' widgets as 'X' and 'X-2' for X and Y respectively, I end up with the equation 5t^2 - 34t + 24 which yields me 2 solutions, one of which is correct (x=6)

However, when I take 'X' and 'Y' as 'X+2' and 'X', which are the same as above, because either ways, X is taking 2 days longer, I end up with the equation 5x^2 - 14x - 24 which has no solutions (I hope I'm not making some stupid mistake here)

Can someone please clarify this and correct me where I'm wrong.

Refer my post above; I did in the same way.....

As far as solving the equation, refer below.....

$$5x^2 - 14x - 24 = 0$$

$$5x^2 - 20x + 6x - 24 = 0$$

$$5x(x-4) + 6(x-4) = 0$$

(x-4)(5x+6) = 0

x = 4 (Ignore the -ve equation)

x+2 = 6
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Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink]

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20 Oct 2014, 21:20
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muhtasimhassan wrote:
Hi,

I am new here and I have solved this math correctly. However, here's my problem:

If I consider the number of days required to produce 'W' widgets as 'X' and 'X-2' for X and Y respectively, I end up with the equation 5t^2 - 34t + 24 which yields me 2 solutions, one of which is correct (x=6)

However, when I take 'X' and 'Y' as 'X+2' and 'X', which are the same as above, because either ways, X is taking 2 days longer, I end up with the equation 5x^2 - 14x - 24 which has no solutions (I hope I'm not making some stupid mistake here)

Can someone please clarify this and correct me where I'm wrong.

It doesn't matter whether you take the number of days as
Days taken by machine X = X and
Days taken by machine Y = X-2
or
Days taken by machine X = X+2
Days taken by machine Y = X

Either way, you will get one valid value for X and you will need to manipulate that to get your answer. You need to find the number of days that will be taken by machine X to make 2w widgets.

In first case, you get the equation as $$5X^2 - 34X + 24 = 0$$ and get X = 6 as the only valid value (X = 4/5 gives X-2 as negative but number of days cannot be negative).
Machine X takes X days i.e. 6 days to make w widgets. So it will take 12 days to make 2w widgets.

In the second case, you get $$5x^2 - 14x - 24 = 0$$
which is $$5x^2 - 20x + 6x - 24 = 0$$
5x(x - 4) + 6(x - 4) = 0
(x-4)(5x + 6) = 0
x = 4
This is the number of days taken by machine Y to make w widgets. So machine X takes 4+2 = 6 days to make w widgets. It will take 12 days to make 2w widgets.

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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Intern Joined: 22 Mar 2014 Posts: 2 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 0 [0], given: 2 Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 20 Oct 2014, 21:39 PareshGmat VeritasPrepKarishma Thanks a lot. Careless of me to not have noticed such a simple solution to the equation 5x^2 - 14x - 24 = 0 Manager Joined: 23 May 2013 Posts: 130 Concentration: Strategy, Social Entrepreneurship GMAT Date: 08-05-2015 Followers: 1 Kudos [?]: 69 [1] , given: 37 Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 08 Dec 2014, 08:30 1 This post received KUDOS VeritasPrepKarishma wrote: muhtasimhassan wrote: Hi, I am new here and I have solved this math correctly. However, here's my problem: If I consider the number of days required to produce 'W' widgets as 'X' and 'X-2' for X and Y respectively, I end up with the equation 5t^2 - 34t + 24 which yields me 2 solutions, one of which is correct (x=6) However, when I take 'X' and 'Y' as 'X+2' and 'X', which are the same as above, because either ways, X is taking 2 days longer, I end up with the equation 5x^2 - 14x - 24 which has no solutions (I hope I'm not making some stupid mistake here) Can someone please clarify this and correct me where I'm wrong. It doesn't matter whether you take the number of days as Days taken by machine X = X and Days taken by machine Y = X-2 or Days taken by machine X = X+2 Days taken by machine Y = X Either way, you will get one valid value for X and you will need to manipulate that to get your answer. You need to find the number of days that will be taken by machine X to make 2w widgets. In first case, you get the equation as $$5X^2 - 34X + 24 = 0$$ and get X = 6 as the only valid value (X = 4/5 gives X-2 as negative but number of days cannot be negative). Machine X takes X days i.e. 6 days to make w widgets. So it will take 12 days to make 2w widgets. In the second case, you get $$5x^2 - 14x - 24 = 0$$ which is $$5x^2 - 20x + 6x - 24 = 0$$ 5x(x - 4) + 6(x - 4) = 0 (x-4)(5x + 6) = 0 x = 4 This is the number of days taken by machine Y to make w widgets. So machine X takes 4+2 = 6 days to make w widgets. It will take 12 days to make 2w widgets. Either way, your answer will be the same. Just wanted to point out that this problem can be solved quite easily without solving a quadratic. Our equation for x is given by: $$\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x-2} = \frac{5}{12}$$. $$\frac{x-2 + x} {x(x-2)} = \frac{5}{12}$$. $$\frac{2x-2}{x(x-2)} = \frac{5}{12}$$. $$\frac{2(x-1)}{x(x-2)} = \frac{5}{12}$$. $$\frac{(x-1)}{x(x-2)} = \frac{5}{24}$$. We see immediately that by letting $$x=6$$ we find our solution of x. Therefore, since we're looking for the value of 2x, we see that the answer must be 12. Answer: E Manager Joined: 26 Feb 2015 Posts: 127 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 24 [0], given: 43 Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 26 Mar 2015, 01:59 Bunuel wrote: SOLUTION Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes 2 days longer to produce w widgets than Machine Y. At these rates, if the two machines together produce (5/4)w widgets in 3 days, how many days would it take Machine X alone to produce 2w widgets? (A) 4 (B) 6 (C) 8 (D) 10 (E) 12 Any questions similar to this one somewhere? The regular Rate problems are quite easy, but as soon as they start mixing it up, adding variables, I'm clueless as to how to approach things. Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 33525 Followers: 5937 Kudos [?]: 73612 [0], given: 9903 Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 26 Mar 2015, 04:08 Expert's post erikvm wrote: Bunuel wrote: SOLUTION Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes 2 days longer to produce w widgets than Machine Y. At these rates, if the two machines together produce (5/4)w widgets in 3 days, how many days would it take Machine X alone to produce 2w widgets? (A) 4 (B) 6 (C) 8 (D) 10 (E) 12 Any questions similar to this one somewhere? The regular Rate problems are quite easy, but as soon as they start mixing it up, adding variables, I'm clueless as to how to approach things. Check 700+ level Work/Rate PS problems HERE and DS problems HERE. Hope it helps. _________________ Director Joined: 07 Aug 2011 Posts: 582 Concentration: International Business, Technology GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V27 Followers: 3 Kudos [?]: 323 [0], given: 75 Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 26 Mar 2015, 04:49 MensaNumber wrote: Alternate Solution without algebra using POE. If it takes 3 days to produce 5/4 widgets, it will take 3*(4/5) = 12/5 days to produce 1 widget. If two machines were working at the same rate it would take, 2*12/5 i.e. approx 5 days days for x to produce 1 widget. Since machine X is slower it will take more than 5 days to produce 1 widget and subsequently more than 10 days to produce 2 widgets. The only answer more than 10 is 12 days. Answer E +1 Kudos !! Have a doubt , why did you discount 'w' while calculating time require to produce 1 widget ? If it takes 3 days to produce 5/4 widgets, it will take 3*(4/5) = 12/5 days to produce 1 widget. shldn't it be $$\frac{12}{5w}$$ ? _________________ Thanks, Lucky _______________________________________________________ Kindly press the to appreciate my post !! Manager Joined: 26 Dec 2011 Posts: 122 Schools: HBS '18, IIMA Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 55 [0], given: 39 Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 May 2015, 04:48 Lucky2783 wrote: MensaNumber wrote: Alternate Solution without algebra using POE. If it takes 3 days to produce 5/4 widgets, it will take 3*(4/5) = 12/5 days to produce 1 widget. If two machines were working at the same rate it would take, 2*12/5 i.e. approx 5 days days for x to produce 1 widget. Since machine X is slower it will take more than 5 days to produce 1 widget and subsequently more than 10 days to produce 2 widgets. The only answer more than 10 is 12 days. Answer E +1 Kudos !! Have a doubt , why did you discount 'w' while calculating time require to produce 1 widget ? If it takes 3 days to produce 5/4 widgets, it will take 3*(4/5) = 12/5 days to produce 1 widget. shldn't it be $$\frac{12}{5w}$$ ? Hi, Correction - If it takes 3 days to produce 5/4 widgets, it will take 1/3*(4/5) = 4/15 days to produce 1 widget. Thanks _________________ Thanks, Kudos Please Intern Joined: 23 Jul 2015 Posts: 13 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 1 [0], given: 0 Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 26 Jul 2015, 19:32 can someone pelase explain how they got from (1/t) + (1/((t-2)) = 5/12 TO 5t^2-34t+24=0 Math Forum Moderator Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 2613 Concentration: Finance, Strategy Schools: Kellogg '18 (M) GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V44 GPA: 3.7 WE: Engineering (Aerospace and Defense) Followers: 100 Kudos [?]: 1124 [0], given: 780 Re: Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 26 Jul 2015, 19:48 Expert's post jasonfodor wrote: can someone pelase explain how they got from (1/t) + (1/((t-2)) = 5/12 TO 5t^2-34t+24=0 $$\frac{1}{t} + \frac{1}{t-2} = \frac{5}{12}$$ $$\frac{2t-2}{t*(t-2)} =\frac{5}{12}$$ Cross multiplying and rearranging terms, you get , $$5t^2-34t+24= 0$$ Hope it helps. _________________ Thursday with Ron updated list as of July 1st, 2015: http://gmatclub.com/forum/consolidated-thursday-with-ron-list-for-all-the-sections-201006.html#p1544515 Rules for Posting in Quant Forums: http://gmatclub.com/forum/rules-for-posting-please-read-this-before-posting-133935.html Writing Mathematical Formulae in your posts: http://gmatclub.com/forum/rules-for-posting-please-read-this-before-posting-133935.html#p1096628 GMATCLUB Math Book: http://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-math-book-in-downloadable-pdf-format-130609.html Everything Related to Inequalities: http://gmatclub.com/forum/inequalities-made-easy-206653.html#p1582891 Inequalities tips: http://gmatclub.com/forum/inequalities-tips-and-hints-175001.html Debrief, 650 to 750: http://gmatclub.com/forum/650-to-750-a-10-month-journey-to-the-score-203190.html Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 6674 Location: Pune, India Followers: 1829 Kudos [?]: 11128 [1] , given: 219 Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes [#permalink] ### Show Tags 26 Jul 2015, 21:36 1 This post received KUDOS Expert's post jasonfodor wrote: can someone pelase explain how they got from (1/t) + (1/((t-2)) = 5/12 TO 5t^2-34t+24=0 You can also give the quadratic route a miss. Once you get (1/t) + (1/(t-2)) = 5/12, you can try out some values for t. t is an integer since it is one of the given 5 options. To get 12 in denominator on the right hand side, t*(t-2) should give you 12 or a multiple. 12 = 4*3 or 6*2 (not of the form t*(t-2)) 24 = 6*4 (this is possible) Check 1/6 + 1/4 = 10/24 = 5/12 You get the value of t. Or you can also try substituting the value of t from each option. _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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# Running at their respective constant rates, Machine X takes

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