Let the time needed to print 40 pages for printer A be \(a\) minutes, so for printer B it would be \(a-4\) minutes.

The rate of A would be \(rate=\frac{job}{time}=\frac{40}{a}\) pages per minute and the rate of B \(rate=\frac{job}{time}=\frac{40}{a-4}\) pages per minute.

Their combined rate would be \(\frac{40}{a}+\frac{40}{a-4}\) pages per minute. Also as "two printers can print 50 pages in 6 minutes" then their combined rate is \(rate=\frac{job}{time}=\frac{50}{6}\), so \(\frac{40}{a}+\frac{40}{a-4}=\frac{50}{6}\).

\(\frac{40}{a}+\frac{40}{a-4}=\frac{50}{6}\) --> \(\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{a-4}=\frac{5}{24}\). At this point we can either try to substitute the values from answer choices or solve quadratic equation. Remember as we are asked to find time needed for printer A to print \(80\) pages, then the answer would be \(2a\) (as \(a\) is the time needed to print \(40\) pages). Answer D works: \(2a=24\) --> \(a=12\) --> \(\frac{1}{12}+\frac{1}{8}=\frac{5}{24}\).

Answer: D.
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I got this question - unanswered somewhere around page 19-20 in PS Discussion section.
Is this a real GMAT type question?

Merging similar topics.

As for your question: after \(\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{a-4}=\frac{5}{24}\) I recommend substitution from answer choices rather then solving quadratic equation.
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Correct. Try similar question: hours-to-type-pages-102407.html?hilit=answer%20choices%20or%20solve%20quadratic%20equation.%20R

Hope it helps.
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Got the quadratic soon but took ages after that to solve the rest of the problem. The substitution, I guess, would take up a lot of time. How to solve within 2 mins?

Check this:
Factoring Quadratics: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/factquad.htm
Solving Quadratic Equations: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/solvquad.htm

Though it's better to substitute the values rather than get the quadratics and then factor it (refer to my podt above to see how it can be done).

Hope it helps.
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Do not go up to the quadratic to solve it. The substitution will take a long time. Get your basic equation and then substitute. Let me show you what I mean.

Let me make the work same.
We need time taken by printer A to print 80 pages. (Let's say this is 'a' mins)
We know A takes 4 more mins for 40 pages so it will take 8 more minutes for 80 pages.
Together, they print 50 pages in 6 mins so they will print 80 pages in 6*50/80 = 48/5 mins

Now, make your sum of rates equation:

1/a + 1/(a - 8) = 5/48

Now look at the options and substitute here. First check out the straight forward options.
Say, a = 12
1/12 + 1/4 = 4/12 Nope

I will not try 18 and 20 because (18, 10) and (20, 12) doesn't give me 48, the denominator on right hand side.

I will try 24 instead.
1/24 + 1/16 = 5/48 Yes.
Answer is 24.
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Even though it has been discussed before, and there is nothing to add to the solution, there is this one thing, which might just help.Apologies for the lack of brevity.

Imagine a quadratic which reads as : \(\frac {1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1} =\frac{5}{6}\)

Try calculating this quadratic, it would take atleast say 1 minute. Now, take another look at the quadratic. We see that the RHS has 6 in the denominator. Thus, the LCM of both x and (x+1) should be 6.
I say should be, because the RHS denotes a reduced fraction.

Now, think of the first two numbers which have an LCM of 6,and to top it up, they are consecutive \(\to\) 2 and 3[x and (x+1)]

\(\frac {1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1}\) = \(\frac {1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} =\frac{2+3}{6}\) = \(\frac{5}{6}\)
x = 2.

Also, as because there is only ONE correct positive answer for such problems, you can afford the luxury to neglect the second root, which in most cases would turn out to be a negative entity.

Now back to the current problem :

\(\frac{1}{A} + \frac{1}{A - 4} = \frac{5}{24}\)

Doesn't take long to figure out that the RHS is again a reduced fraction. Now, juggle between numbers which might give an LCM of 24 : (24,1),(6,8),(12,8),etc. But, notice that along with the LCM, the pair also subscribes to another restraint: they are seperated by 4 units. One can quickly recognize that (12,8) is one such pair, and this indeed gives us \(\frac{5}{24}\), when added.

Another way to look at it is by redistributing the numerator (5,in this case) into 2 parts, so that each part, is a factor of the common denominator(24), i.e. 5 \(\to\) (1,4) or (2,3). The first pair will lead to this \(\to \frac{1+4}{24}\) = \(\frac {1}{24} + \frac{1}{6}\) and we know that this is not a valid solution. Trying the other pair, we have something like this \(\to \frac{2+3}{24}\)= \(\frac {2}{24} + \frac{3}{24}\) = \(\frac {1}{8} + \frac{1}{12}\) and this is the correct solution.

Just to get the hang of it, let's try doing another problem :

Say \(\frac{1}{A} - \frac{1}{A+3} = \frac{1}{36}\).

LCM of 36\(\to\) (1,36),(4,9),(9,12),etc. But one pair which is seperated by 3 units \(\to\) (12,9) and it is the answer.

Another way, by redifining the numerator\(\to\) As the numertor in this case is anyways unity, we can think of it as the difference of 2 integers, both being factors of 36 \(\to\) (3,4).

Thus, \(\frac{1}{36} = \frac{4-3}{36} = \frac{4}{36} - \frac{3}{36} = \frac{1}{9} - \frac{1}{12}.\)

Note: This method is not fail-proof, but knowing that the guys at GMAC design excellent problems,I am sure this method might just come in handy in some way or the other.
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When writing an equation please make sure it's clear what each variable represents there.

If A and B are the rates in the first equation, then the second equation should be (rate of A) + (rate of B) = A + B = 50/6 = (combined rate).
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If T is the rate how is T + (4 days) = (rate) + (time) = (rate) ???
If T is rate, then 1/T = 1/(rate) = (time), while 5/24 = (rate). How is (1/T+4)+(1/T) = (time) + (time) + (time) = 5/24 = (rate)???
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