Bunuel
Jane can make a handcrafted drum in 4 weeks. Zane can make a similar handcrafted drum in 6 weeks. If they both work together, how many weeks will it take for them to produce 15 handcrafted drums?
A. 30
B. 36
C. 70
D. 80
E. 150
Kudos for a correct solution.
MAGOOSH OFFICIAL SOLUTION:Method I: the rates solution“Jane can make a handcrafted drum in 4 weeks. Zane can make a similar handcrafted drum in 6 weeks.” Jane’s rate is (1 drum)/(4 weeks) = 1/4. Zane’s rate is (1 drum)/(6 weeks) = 1/6. The combined rate of Jane + Zane is
R = 1/4 + 1/6 = 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12
That’s the combined rate. We need to make 15 drums — we have a rate and we have an amount, so use the “art” equation to solve for time:
T = A/R = 15/(5/12) = 15*(12/5) = (15/5)*12 = 3*12 = 36
BTW, notice in the penultimate step, the universal fraction strategy: cancel
before you multiply (Tip #3:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/can-i-use- ... -the-gmat/. Jane and Zane need 36 weeks to make 15 drums.
Answer = B.
Method II: the proportion solution“Jane can make a handcrafted drum in 4 weeks. Zane can make a similar handcrafted drum in 6 weeks.” Let’s find the LCM of 4 and 6 — that’s 12 weeks. In a 12 week period, Jane, making a drum every 4 weeks, makes three drums. In a 12 week period, Zane, making a drum every 6 weeks, makes two drums. Therefore, in a 12 weeks period, they produce 5 drums between the two of them. If they make 5 drums in 12 weeks, they need triple that time, 36 weeks, to make 15 drums. Therefore, Jane and Zane need 36 weeks to make 15 drums.
Answer = B.