Bunuel
If 17 labourers can dig a ditch 20 m long in 18 days, working 8 hours a day, how many minimum number of more labourers should be engaged to dig a similar ditch 39 m long in maximum of 6 days, each labourer working 9 hours per day.
A. 89
B. 84 3
C. 78
D. 72
E. 68
The hourly rate of 1 labourer is 20 / (17 x 18 x 8). Let n = the number of labourers needed to dig a 39 m long ditch in 6 days with each labourer working 9 hours per day. We can create the equation:
20 / (17 x 18 x 8) = 39 / (n x 6 x 9)
20(n x 6 x 9) = 39(17 x 18 x 8)
20 x 54 x n = 3 x 13 x 17 x 18 x 8
20n = 13 x 17 x 8
n = 13 x 17 x 8 / 20 = 88.4
However, we can’t have the number of labourers as a decimal number, and since the job should take a maximum of 6 days, we need more than “88.4” labourers, so 89 labourers will do. Since we already have 17 labourers, we will need an additional 89 - 17 = 72 labourers.
Answer: D