Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 15:45 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 15:45
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
avatar
shradhagrover18
Joined: 26 May 2012
Last visit: 12 Aug 2013
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
34
 [18]
Given Kudos: 8
Concentration: Human Resources, Leadership
GMAT Date: 07-04-2012
Posts: 6
Kudos: 34
 [18]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
15
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,785
Own Kudos:
810,862
 [4]
Given Kudos: 105,853
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,785
Kudos: 810,862
 [4]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
pike
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 08 Jan 2009
Last visit: 27 Dec 2020
Posts: 245
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 7
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
Posts: 245
Kudos: 505
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
gmatsaga
Joined: 05 Jun 2012
Last visit: 30 Apr 2013
Posts: 105
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 16
Status:Rising GMAT Star
Location: Philippines
Concentration: General Management, Finance
GPA: 3.22
WE:Corporate Finance (Consulting)
Posts: 105
Kudos: 315
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
shradhagrover18
Four carpenters can individually complete a particular task in 3, 4, 5, and 7 hours, respectively. What is the maximum fraction of the task that can be completed in forty-five minutes if three of the carpenters work together at their respective rates ?

A. 11/15
B. 3/5
C. 11/30
D. 47/80
E. 5/9

Farmer A, B, C, and D

A's rate: 1/3 job/hour
B's rate: 1/4 job/hour
C's rate: 1/5 job/hour
D's rate: 1/7 job/hour

By intuition we know that the three fastest farmers are A B and C.

As such

(1/3 + 1/4 + 1/5)*(3/4) = ?

47/80 or (D)
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,785
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,853
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,785
Kudos: 810,862
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bumping for review and further discussion*. Get a kudos point for an alternative solution!

*New project from GMAT Club!!! Check HERE

All DS Min/Max Problems to practice: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=42
All PS Min/Max Problems to practice: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=63
User avatar
amanvermagmat
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 22 Aug 2013
Last visit: 28 Mar 2025
Posts: 1,142
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 480
Location: India
Posts: 1,142
Kudos: 2,973
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I sometimes do these by taking total work as number of units which is LCM of individual times.
LCM of 3,4,5,7 = 420.

Let total work be 420 units.
Carpenter A does in 1 hour = 420/3 = 140 units.
Carpenter B does in 1 hour = 420/4 = 105 units.
Carpenter C does in 1 hour = 420/5 = 84 units.
Carpenter D does in 1 hour = 420/7 = 60 units.

Clearly, 3 most efficient carpenters are A, B, C. So if we want to find out Max fraction of work possible by 3 carpenters, we have to take these 3 carpenters only.
They do a total of (140+105+84) = 329 units per hour

Now, 45 minutes = 3/4 hours
Work done in 1 hour = 329 units
Work done in 3/4 hours = 329 * 3/4 = 987/4

Now this is what fraction of total work = (987/4)/420 = 47/80.
Hence D

(This is a time taking solution for this question no doubt. Method given by others is better. But I am just trying to add some value by giving an alternate solution. This kind of method can be applied to such questions though, sometimes making them easier)
User avatar
nahid78
Joined: 12 Mar 2013
Last visit: 30 Apr 2023
Posts: 283
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1,062
Products:
Posts: 283
Kudos: 737
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
shradhagrover18
Four carpenters can individually complete a particular task in 3, 4, 5, and 7 hours, respectively. What is the maximum fraction of the task that can be completed in forty-five minutes if three of the carpenters work together at their respective rates ?

A. 11/15
B. 3/5
C. 11/30
D. 47/80
E. 5/9

maximum work will be done by those who take less time to complete the task individually.
Forty five minutes is 3/4 hour
so ans is 3/4(1/3+1/4+1/5)
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,962
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,962
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109785 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts