Bunuel
Thor, drinking at a constant rate, can finish k liters of beer in m minutes, while Loki, drinking at a slower constant rate, can finish the same k liters in n minutes. If they start drinking together and consume 2k liters in total, in terms of m, n, and k, how much more beer in liters did Thor drink than Loki?
A. \(\frac{k(m - n)}{2(m+n)}\)
B. \(\frac{k(m - n)}{m+n}\)
C. \(\frac{2k(n - m)}{m+n}\)
D. \(\frac{2k(m - n)}{m+n}\)
E. \(\frac{2k(m + n)}{n-m}\)
Method 1 Thor's rate: k liters in m minutes = k/m liters per minute
Loki's rate: k liters in n minutes = k/n liters per minute
Since Thor finishes in fewer minutes (m < n), Thor drinks faster.
The difference should be POSITIVE.
Eliminate A, B, D immediately.
Together they drink
2k liters Combined rate = k/m + k/n = k(1/m + 1/n)
Total time :
= 2k ÷ [k(1/m + 1/n)]
= 2mn / (m + n)
Thor drinks:= (k/m) × (2mn / (m + n)) = 2kn / (m + n)
Loki drinks:= (k/n) × (2mn / (m + n)) = 2km / (m + n)
Difference = Thor's consumption - Loki's consumption
= 2kn/(m + n) - 2km/(m + n)
= 2k(n - m)/(m + n)
Answer: C
Method 2->
Choose simple numbers also to work this faster without any error.
Choose simple numbers that make calculations easy:- k = 6 liters - easily divisible, m = 2 (Thor's time ), n = 3 (Loki's time )
Since Thor is faster (m < n), he should drink MORE than Loki. The difference should be POSITIVE.
Eliminate A, B, D immediately.
Only test C and E:
Solution:Individual rates:
- Thor: 6 ÷ 2 = 3 liters/minute
- Loki: 6 ÷ 3 = 2 liters/minute
Combined rate: 3 + 2 = 5 liters/minute Time together: 12 liters ÷ 5 = 2.4 minutes
- Thor: 3 × 2.4 = 7.2 liters
- Loki: 2 × 2.4 = 4.8 liters
Difference: 7.2 - 4.8 =
2.4 liters
Check remaining choices
C: 2×6(3-2)/(2+3) = 12×1/5 = [b]2.4 [/b]
E: 2×6(2+3)/(3-2) too big
Answer: C