Last visit was: 21 Apr 2026, 01:59 It is currently 21 Apr 2026, 01:59
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Oppenheimer1945
Joined: 16 Jul 2019
Last visit: 16 Apr 2026
Posts: 786
Own Kudos:
663
 [1]
Given Kudos: 236
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1: 645 Q90 V76 DI80
GPA: 7.81
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Sof22
Joined: 02 Jul 2024
Last visit: 05 Nov 2025
Posts: 32
Own Kudos:
41
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1
GRE 1: Q168 V163
GRE 1: Q168 V163
Posts: 32
Kudos: 41
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
nishantswaft
User avatar
ISB School Moderator
Joined: 17 Oct 2024
Last visit: 16 Mar 2026
Posts: 159
Own Kudos:
119
 [1]
Given Kudos: 18
Posts: 159
Kudos: 119
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
MKeerthu
Joined: 12 Mar 2024
Last visit: 02 Apr 2025
Posts: 53
Own Kudos:
59
 [1]
Given Kudos: 22
Posts: 53
Kudos: 59
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The answer is 35.

Using the LCM approach, take LCM for 60,50 and 75

We have LCM = 300

Rate of A = 300/50 = 6units/hour ; Rate of B = 300/60 = 5units/hour ; Rate of C = 300/75 = 4units/hr

we have Total work 300 = 6*10 + 5(t-15) + 4t

solving we get t = 35
User avatar
sushanth21
Joined: 09 Nov 2024
Last visit: 15 Jan 2026
Posts: 82
Own Kudos:
69
 [1]
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 82
Kudos: 69
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
C

efficiency of A = W/50
B = W/60
C = W/75

For first 10 hrs
W/50 + W/60 + W/75 = x1/10 (x1 = work done in first 10 hrs)
x1 = W/2

Last 15 hrs
W/75 = x3/15 (x3 = work done in last 15hrs)
x3 = W/5

Work left =
W - W/2 - W/5 = 3W/10

Time taken for the remaining work
as we know both B and C were working until the last 15 hrs
W/60 + W/75 = (3W/10)/t
t = 10hrs

hence the total time taken to finish the task is 10 + 10 + 15 = 35

Bunuel
12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

In a factory, Machine A, working alone, can complete a task in 50 hours, Machine B, working alone, can complete the same task in 60 hours, and Machine C, working alone, can complete it in 75 hours. All three machines started working together on the task. However, Machine A stopped working after 10 hours, and Machine B stopped 15 hours before the task was completed. How many total hours were required to finish the task?

A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40
E. 45

 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

 

User avatar
Navya442001
Joined: 26 Jan 2024
Last visit: 17 Nov 2025
Posts: 67
Own Kudos:
72
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1
Products:
Posts: 67
Kudos: 72
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

In a factory, Machine A, working alone, can complete a task in 50 hours, Machine B, working alone, can complete the same task in 60 hours, and Machine C, working alone, can complete it in 75 hours. All three machines started working together on the task. However, Machine A stopped working after 10 hours, and Machine B stopped 15 hours before the task was completed. How many total hours were required to finish the task?

A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40
E. 45

 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

 

The work rates of the machines are as follows:
  • Machine A completes 1/50 of the task per hour.
  • Machine B completes 1/60 of the task per hour.
  • Machine C completes 1/75 of the task per hour.

Machine A works for 10 hours before stopping. In that time, it completes:
10×(1/50)=10/50=1/5
So, 1/5 of the task is completed by Machine A.

Machine B works until 15 hours before the task is completed. Let T be the total time required to complete the task. Then, Machine B works for T−15 hours and completes:
(T−15)×(1/60)

Machine C works the entire time T and completes:
T×(1/75)

The sum of all contributions equals 1 (the entire task):
(1/5)+(T−15)×(1/60)+T×(1/75)=1
Simplify terms:
1/5 + (T−15)/60 + T/75 = 1

On solving the above equation T = 35,

The total time required is T=35 hours.
The final answer is C. 35.
User avatar
AviNFC
Joined: 31 May 2023
Last visit: 10 Apr 2026
Posts: 306
Own Kudos:
366
 [1]
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 306
Kudos: 366
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Let total time taken be t
(10/50)+((t-15)/60)+(t/75)=1
t=35

Answer C
User avatar
HansikaSachdeva
Joined: 17 May 2024
Last visit: 22 Dec 2025
Posts: 60
Own Kudos:
65
 [1]
Given Kudos: 143
Location: India
Concentration: Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability
Posts: 60
Kudos: 65
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
All three machines started working together on the task. However, Machine A stopped working after 10 hours, and Machine B stopped 15 hours before the task was completed. How many total hours were required to finish the task?

Machine A alone takes 50 hours
Machine B alone takes 60 hours
Machine C alone takes 75 hours

Machine A stopped working after 10 hours, and Machine B stopped 15 hours before the task was completed

Work done = Rate * Time
Rate of A = 1/50
Rate of B = 1/60
Rate of C = 1/75

When working together, rates are added

For the first 10 hours work done is,
10 * (1/50 + 1/60 + 1/75) = 1/2

Therefore, half the work was done in 10 hours

For the remaining half,
1/2 = (1/60 + 1/75) * (t - 15) + 15/75
Solving,
t = 25

Total time taken = 10 + 25 = 35
User avatar
andreagonzalez2k
Joined: 15 Feb 2021
Last visit: 26 Jul 2025
Posts: 308
Own Kudos:
503
 [1]
Given Kudos: 14
Posts: 308
Kudos: 503
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
t=hours to finish the task

10*(1/50)+(t-15)*(1/60)+t*(1/75)=1

60+5t-75+4t=300
9t=315
t=35

IMO C
User avatar
Prakhar9802
Joined: 07 Aug 2023
Last visit: 15 Apr 2026
Posts: 63
Own Kudos:
68
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 63
Kudos: 68
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
A in 50 hrs
B in 60 hrs
C in 75 hrs

Let total work to be completed be 300 units (took 300 as it is the LCM of all three)
Efficiency-

A does 6 units of work in 1 hr
B does 5 units of work in 1 hr
C does 4 units of work in 1 hr

Total units of work in 1 hr = 15

Total units of work to be done = 300

Total time taken if all three work together = 300/15 = 20 hrs

In the first 10 hrs, half of the work is done,
that is, 150 units of work is done in 10 hrs.

after 10 hrs,
only B and C work.

B stops BEFORE 15 HOURS FROM COMPLETION, that means C works alone in the last 15 hrs.

C does 4 units of work in 1 hr, so,
in 15 hrs, C does 60 units of work.

Remaining work = 150-60 = 90

This much work would be done by B and C together.

B and C in 1 hr does 9 units of work.
So 90 units will be complete in 10 hrs.

Therefore, total time taken for completion = 10 + 10 + 15 = 35 hrs

FINAL ANSWER - Option C

Bunuel
12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

In a factory, Machine A, working alone, can complete a task in 50 hours, Machine B, working alone, can complete the same task in 60 hours, and Machine C, working alone, can complete it in 75 hours. All three machines started working together on the task. However, Machine A stopped working after 10 hours, and Machine B stopped 15 hours before the task was completed. How many total hours were required to finish the task?

A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40
E. 45

 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

 

User avatar
OmerKor
Joined: 24 Jan 2024
Last visit: 20 Jan 2026
Posts: 129
Own Kudos:
152
 [1]
Given Kudos: 150
Location: Israel
GMAT Focus 1: 675 Q85 V82 DI83
GMAT Focus 1: 675 Q85 V82 DI83
Posts: 129
Kudos: 152
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi everyone :)

This is a RTD question.
I will build a table in order to illustrate the way to the solution.

RateTimeWork
A50h
B60h
C75h

In order to make the question easier, we will find a LCM of 50-60-75.
I will take the number 300. 300 is "1" "Work".
RateTimeWork
A650h300
B560h300
C475h300

Now we have the "constraints":
RateTimeWork
A+B+C1510h150
C415h60
B+C910h300-210=90
I filled the date in the table due to information in the question.

Time: 10h+15h+10h=35h
Answer Choice C
User avatar
bellsprout24
Joined: 05 Dec 2024
Last visit: 29 Mar 2026
Posts: 57
Own Kudos:
85
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 57
Kudos: 85
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Answer is C. 35

For the first 10 hours, A + B + C = 10/50 + 10/60 + 10/75 = 225/450 = 1/2 complete
For the last 15 hours, C = 15/75 = 1/5 complete
For the middle X hours, B + C = 1-(1/2+1/5) = 3/10 to complete --> X/60 + X/75 = 3/10 --> X = 10

Task takes 10 + 15 + 10 = 35 hours in total
User avatar
depjsr31
Joined: 22 Dec 2024
Last visit: 17 Apr 2025
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
9
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 6
Kudos: 9
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Let the rates of A, B and C be Ra, Rb & Rc

Ra= 1/50 ; Rb = 1/60 & Rc = 1/75

Let the total time to complete the work combing A, B & C be x

Now work done (W1) combining A, B & C

W1= (1/50 + 1/60 + 1/75) * 10

Now work done (W2) only by C, considering C only worked for last 15 hours

W2= (1/75) * 15


Now work done (W3) combining B & C

W3= (1/60 + 1/75) * (x - 10 - 15)

W3 = (1/60 + 1/75) * ( x-25)

Also, we know that W1+ W2 + W3 = 1

Now,

((1/50 + 1/60 + 1/75) * 10) + ( (1/75) * 15) + ( (1/60 + 1/75) * ( x-25)) = 1

Solving for x gives x= 35

So, total time to complete the work is 35 hours

Answer is Option (C)
User avatar
twinkle2311
Joined: 05 Nov 2021
Last visit: 14 Apr 2026
Posts: 150
Own Kudos:
178
 [1]
Given Kudos: 21
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Real Estate
GPA: 9.041
Products:
Posts: 150
Kudos: 178
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Let the total work be 300 units.

Machine A completes 300/50 = 6 units per hour
Machine B completes 300/60 = 5 units per hour
Machine C completes 300/75 = 4 units per hour

  1. Machines A, B, and C work together for 10 hours:
    1. Total work done by all three machines in 10 hours = (6 + 5 + 4) * 10 = 150 units.
    2. Remaining work = 300 - 150 = 150 units.
  2. Machine B stops 15 hours before completion:
    1. So, Machine C works alone for those final 15 hours.
    2. Work done by Machine C in 15 hours = 4 * 15 = 60 units.
    3. Remaining work = 150 - 60 = 90 units.
  3. Machines B and C work together on the remaining 90 units:
    1. Together, B and C complete 5 + 4 = 9 units per hour.
    2. Time to finish the remaining 90 units = 90 / 9 = 10 hours.

Total time to complete the task:
  • 10 hours (initial work by A, B, and C)
  • 15 hours (C working alone)
  • 10 hours (B and C working together)

So the total time is 10 + 15 + 10 = 35 hours.

Answer is C.
User avatar
MinhChau789
Joined: 18 Aug 2023
Last visit: 12 Apr 2026
Posts: 132
Own Kudos:
140
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 132
Kudos: 140
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Let the total hours required to finish the task be t. We have:

(1/50) x 10 + (1/60) x (t-15) + (1/75) x t = 1
1/5 + t/16 - 1/4 + t/75 = 1
t = 35

Answer: C
User avatar
jessicaduyenpham
Joined: 22 Jun 2018
Last visit: 12 May 2025
Posts: 8
Own Kudos:
8
 [1]
Given Kudos: 9
Posts: 8
Kudos: 8
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1. Analyze given info:
- tA= 50 hours
- tB = 60 hours
- tC = 75 hours

{start}|---10 hours---|---x hours---|---15 hour---|{done}
|A + B + C work |B + C work |only C work

2. Find total hour of work if they work together
- 1/t* = 1/tA + 1/tB + 1/tC = 1/50+1/60+1/75 => t* = 20 hours
=> the first 10 hours, A & B C has completed 1/2 total job

- find total hour to finish 1/2 job:
W/2 = Rb*(T-15) + Rc*(T-15) + Rc*15
=>1/2 = (1/60)*(T-15) + (1/75)*(T-15) + (1/75)*15
=> T = 25 hours
=> Total time = first 10 hours + next 25 hours = 35 hrs.

Ans C
User avatar
crimson_king
Joined: 21 Dec 2023
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 152
Own Kudos:
156
 [1]
Given Kudos: 113
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Posts: 152
Kudos: 156
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
To solve this question, it is given that machine A can do its work alone for 50 hours & it did its work for 10 hours on the work in question.

Hence if the total amount of work can be taken to be equal to W, the amount of work done by machine A would be equal to W/50*10=W/5

The remaining work would hence be equal to W-W/5=4W/5. This would be equal to the total amount of work done by both B & C combined.

If we assume the total time taken to complete the work be equal to T, the equation for the total work done would be hence equal to:

4W/5=W*(T-15)/60+W*T/75
4W/5=5W*(T-15)+4*W*T/300
On cancelling out W on both sides,
4*300/5=5T-75+4T
240+75=9T
315=9T
T=35

Hence the total numbe rof hours spent to complete the work is equal to 35 hours

Hence the answer to this question is option (C) 35
User avatar
__Poisonivy__
Joined: 24 Feb 2024
Last visit: 08 Apr 2025
Posts: 53
Own Kudos:
56
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 53
Kudos: 56
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
A= 50 hr./task=> efficiency of A= 1/50 task per hr.
B= 60 hr./ task=> efficiency of B= 1/60 task per hr.
C= 75 hr/ task=> efficiency of C= 1/75 task per hr.

We know, efficiency of A+ efficiency of B+ efficiency of C= 1

Given, A worked for only 10 hrs., and B stopped 15 hrs. before the completion of work. Let t be the time taken by all 3 of them for total completion of work.

So, 10/50+ (t-15)/60+ t/75= 1

Solving the above eqn. we get,
t= 35

Ans.- (C)
User avatar
AbhiS101
Joined: 03 Jul 2024
Last visit: 25 Jan 2026
Posts: 80
Own Kudos:
86
 [1]
Given Kudos: 19
Location: India
GPA: 68%
Posts: 80
Kudos: 86
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

In a factory, Machine A, working alone, can complete a task in 50 hours, Machine B, working alone, can complete the same task in 60 hours, and Machine C, working alone, can complete it in 75 hours. All three machines started working together on the task. However, Machine A stopped working after 10 hours, and Machine B stopped 15 hours before the task was completed. How many total hours were required to finish the task?

A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40
E. 45

 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

 

Machine A work in one Hour: 1/50 = rate
Machine B work in one Hour: 1/60 = rate
Machine C work in one Hour: 1/75 = rate

Total work = 1
Work = rate *time

T be the total time taken to complete the work when all 3 machines were working
eqn as per given info
10/50 + (T-15)/60 + T/75 = 1
T/60 +T/75 = 21/20
(5T+4T)/300 = 21/20
T = 21*300/(20*9)
T = 35
Total time is 35 Hours

IMO 35
User avatar
gopikamoorthy29
Joined: 09 Dec 2024
Last visit: 27 Jan 2025
Posts: 15
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 5
Location: India
Posts: 15
Kudos: 12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
All machines combine rate = 1/50 + 1/60 + 1/75 = 1/20
Machine A works 10 hours = 10 * 1/20 = 1/2

Machine B works T-15 hours
Machine C works T hours
Combined rate of B and C : 1/60 + 1/75 = 3/100
Equation : 3(t-15)/100 + 3T/100 = 1/2
(6T - 45)/100 = 1/2
6T - 45 = 50
T = 15.83 hours
Total time = 10 + T = 10 + 15.83 = 25.83 hours
   1   2   3   4   
Moderators:
Math Expert
109715 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts