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If we were to select numbers to plug into the answers, what would be the best way to select numbers that don't give us fractions?
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Machine A, working alone at a constant rate, can complete a certain production lot in x hours. Machine B, working alone at a constant rate, can complete 1/5 of the same production lot in y hours. Machines A and B, working together, can complete 1/2 of the same production lot in z hours. What is the value of y in terms of x and z?

A. (5x - 10z)/ 2xz
B (2xz) / (5x - 10z)
C. (5xz)/ (x + z)
D. xz/ x + z
E. xz/ x + 2z

Machine A can complete the work in x hours
Machine B can complete the work in 5y hours

Both working together can complete the work in 2z hours

—> 1/x + 1/5y = 1/2z
—> 1/5y = 1/2z - 1/x
—> 1/5y = (x - 2z)/2zx
—> 5y = 2zx/(x - 2z)
—> y = 2zx/(5x - 10z)

IMO Option B

Pls Hit kudos if you like the solution

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Hi amandesai17,

Since the answer choices are all written in fractional 'format', it's highly likely that whichever numbers you choose for X and Z, the value of Y will end up being a fraction (since one of the answers represents the value of Y in terms of X and Z. That having been said, there are choices that you can make that will lead to a much easier set of calculations. Here's how.

This question involves the Work Formula:

(A)(B)/(A+B) where A and B represent the individual times needed to complete the task. With the numbers 3 hours and 6 hours, you will end up (3)(6)/(3+6) = 18/9 = 2 hours to complete the job when working together. In the context of this question, we will have to go through some additional math steps though, since we're told specific things about the 3 variables.

Let's TEST:
X = 3 --> meaning that it takes Machine A 3 hours to complete the job on its own
Y = 6/5 --> if Machine B takes 6 hours to complete the job on its own; we're told that Y is equal to the time it takes to complete 1/5 of the job (re: 6 x 1/5 = 6/5).

With these values, we know it takes the two Machines 2 hours - when working together - to complete the job. Z is the time it takes to complete 1/2 of the job though, so Z = 1.

Z = 1

We're asked for the value of Y based on the values of X and Z. Thus, we need an answer with a 5 in the denominator. You could eliminate most of the answers with just that piece of information. There's only one answer that equals 6/5.

Final Answer:
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