A takes thrice as much time as B to complete a piece of work.
B takes thrice as much time as C to complete the work.
C takes thrice as much time as D to complete the work.
One group of three of the four men can complete the work in 13 days while another group of three can do so in 31 days.
Which is the group that takes 13 days and which is the group that takes 31 days?
Let us assume that D takes x days to complete the work
C takes 3x days to complete the work
B takes 9x days to complete the work
A takes 27x days to complete the work
D is fastest and A is slowest.
Therefore, the group of (B,C,D) will take lowest time and the group of (A,B,C) will take highest time
Time taken by (B,C,D) to complete the work = 1/(1/9x + 1/3x + 1/x) = 9x/13
Time taken by (A,B,C) to complete the work = 1/(1/27x + 1/9x + 1/3x) = 27x/13
Time taken by (A,B,D) to complete the work = 1/(1/27x + 1/9x + 1/x) = 27x/31
If 27x/31 = 13; x = 13*31/27
27x/13 = 31
A. 13 days group = (A, B, C); 31 days group = (A, B, D)
B. 13 days group = (A, B, D); 31 days group = (A, B, C)
C. 13 days group = (B, C, D); 31 days group = (A, B, C)
D. 13 days group = (A, C, D); 31 days group = (A, B, C)
E. 13 days group = (A, B, D); 31 days group = (A, B, D)
IMO B