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Hermione:
27=3^3 increases by 200 percent (every 6 hours) = multiply by 3
3^3 * 3^(t/6) = 3^(3 + t/6)

Ron: 729=3^6
increases by 800 percent (every 18 hours) = multiply by 9=3^2
3^6 * (3^2)^(t/18) = 3^6 * 3^(2t/18) = 3^(6 + t/9)


3^(3 + t/6) = 3^(6 + t/9)
3 + t/6 = 6 + t/9
t/6 = 3 + t/9
3t = 54 + 2t
t = 54

IMO E
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Hermione increases by 200%: 27*(1+2)=27*3 in 6 hours, so 27*27 in 18 hours.
Ron increases by 800%: 729*(1+8)=729*9 in 18 hours

27 * 27^n = 729 * 9^n
27^n = 27 * 9^n
3^(3n) = 3^3 * 3^2n = 3^(3+2n)
3n = 3 + 2n
n = 3

3 groups of 18 hours: 3*18=54

Answer E
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Increasing by 200% -> x3
Increasing by 800% -> x9

Hermione every 6 hours x3, in 18 hours x27. The sequence every 18 hours is:
27=3^3, 3^6, 3^9, 3^12

Ron every 18 hours x9. The sequence every 18 hours is:
729=3^6, 3^8, 3^10, 3^12

In 3*18=54 hours the number of beans in the two cauldrons is 3^12.

The answer is E
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Hermione every 6 hours: h*(1+200/100)=h*3 -> every 18 hours h*27
Ron every 18 hours: r*(1+800/100)=r*9

There is only one moment when they will be the same number.

Start:
Hermione 27
Ron 729

18 hours:
Hermione 27 * 27 = 3^3 * 3^3 = 3^6
Ron 729 * 9 = 3^8
distinct number

36 hours:
Hermione 3^6 * 27 = 3^6 * 3^3 = 3^9
Ron 3^8 * 9 = 3^10
distinct number

54 hours:
Hermione 3^9 * 27 = 3^9 * 3^3 = 3^12
Ron 3^10 * 9 = 3^12
same number

The correct answer is E
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We know that,
Herminone starts with 27 beans and every 6 hrs it increases by 200% which means its multiplied by 3 every 6hrs
f(x) = 27* 3^x where x is times beans multiplies (every 6hrs)

Ron starts with 729 beans and every 18hrs it increases by 800% which means it multiplies by 9
g(y) = 729 * 9^y = 3

We need to know when they become equal
=> 27* 3^x = 729 * 9^y where y is times the beans increases (every 18hrs)
=> x = 3 + 2y ---- (1)

Also, y = [x/3] ----(2) (Since Ron cauldron increases after every 3 times of Hermione cauldron increase)

=> Lets try for y = 1
=> x = 3 + 2 = 5

And it also satisfies, equation 2 ( 1 = [5/3])

=> Time for 5 increases in Hermione cauldron = 6 * x = 6*5 = 30hrs

=> Ron cauldron increases at the 18th hour once and Hermion's cauldron increase at 5 times mark on the 30th hour mark would equalize the bean count

Hermione = 27 * 3^5 = 6561
Ron = 729 * 9 = 6561

C. 30
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It does not take into account the first time such an increase happens, the math there considers the increase to be equally distributed through the time frame of given time i.e if its increasing by 2x in 6 hours it considers an increase of 1x in 3 hours(that does NOT happen, the increase is immediate and only increases AT the time interval) therefore if you take the bigger number i,e, 18 hours and check the smaller intervals of 6 in between u find it increases for the first time after 30 hours.
Hence answer is 30.
rickyric395
54 is the answer
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