Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 23:25 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 23:25
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
arkle
Joined: 06 Jul 2011
Last visit: 20 Nov 2015
Posts: 67
Own Kudos:
412
 [46]
Given Kudos: 240
Posts: 67
Kudos: 412
 [46]
10
Kudos
Add Kudos
36
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,802
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,868
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,802
Kudos: 810,896
 [15]
11
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
BrushMyQuant
Joined: 05 Apr 2011
Last visit: 03 Apr 2026
Posts: 2,286
Own Kudos:
2,680
 [8]
Given Kudos: 100
Status:Tutor - BrushMyQuant
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Marketing
Schools: XLRI (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V31
GPA: 3
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: XLRI (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V31
Posts: 2,286
Kudos: 2,680
 [8]
7
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
EvaJager
Joined: 22 Mar 2011
Last visit: 31 Aug 2016
Posts: 513
Own Kudos:
2,370
 [3]
Given Kudos: 43
WE:Science (Education)
Posts: 513
Kudos: 2,370
 [3]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
arkle
If two typists can type two pages in two minutes, how many typists will it take to type 18 pages in six minutes?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
D. 12
E. 36

Could anyone plz explain a robust approach to solve above mentioned problem.I mostly get confused in RT=W probs.Thanks!

2 typists 2 pages 2 minutes
2 typists 2*9=18 pages 2*9=18 minutes (9 times more pages, 9 times more time)
2*3=6 typists 18 pages 18/3=6 minutes (need 3 times faster, should increase number of typists by the same factor 3)

Answer C

This question is about direct and inverse proportionality.
RxT=W (rate x time = work)

If work is constant, then R and T are inversely proportional, meaning if R increases, T decreases and vice-versa.
If R is constant, then T and W are directly proportional, meaning if T increase, W increases (more time, more job done).
If T is constant, then R and W are again directly proportional, meaning if R increases, W increases (faster rate, more job done).

In the above approach, first if we increase the number of pages (more work must be done), but we stay with the same number of typists, we need proportionally more time. Here, time and work are directly proportional.
Then, for the same number of pages (same work), if we want the job done faster, we need more typists. Now, number of typists and time are inversely proportional.

This type of question reminds me of a home-work that would upset many parents (lamenting that this is insane :o):

If one and a half chicken lay in a day and half one egg and a half, how many eggs will lay three chicken in three days?

Who heard of half chickens laying half eggs...those math teachers gone mad!!!
User avatar
mbaiseasy
Joined: 13 Aug 2012
Last visit: 29 Dec 2013
Posts: 316
Own Kudos:
2,095
 [1]
Given Kudos: 11
Concentration: Marketing, Finance
GPA: 3.23
Posts: 316
Kudos: 2,095
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Let the individual rate of each typist be=\(\frac{1}{t}\)

Using the Rate equation Rt=W we can calculate their rates:
\((\frac{1}{m}+\frac{1}{m})(2 minutes)=2pages==>\frac{2}{m}=\frac{2pages}{2minutes}==>m=2minutes\)

Thus, the individual rate of each typist =\(\frac{1page}{2minutes}\)

Now let's calculate the number of typists needed to work for 6 minutes to make 18 pages.

\(\frac{N}{2minutes}(6min)=18pages==>N=\frac{18}{3}=6\)

Answer: C
avatar
lonestar07
Joined: 08 Dec 2012
Last visit: 24 Apr 2014
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
21
 [1]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
GMAT 1: 760 Q48 V48
GPA: 3.71
WE:Sales (Energy)
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
To handle this type of problem efficiently I like to extend the R(T)=W formula ==> to #RT=W where # is number of people and RTW is still Rate, Time, Work. So for this problem:

Solve for R first
#=2 typists
R=?
T=2 minutes
W=2 pages

#RT=W==>2(R)(2)=2==>4(R)=2 divide both sides by 4 to get R=2/4 which is of course R=1/2. Now you have the rate PER TYPIST.

Now solve the rest of the question the same way to get #
#=?
R=1/2
T=6 minutes
W=18 pages

#RT=W==>#(1/2)(6)=18==>#(3)=18 divide both sides by 3 and you get #=6. So 6 is the number of typists it will take to accomplish 18 pages in 6 minutes. Hope it helps.
avatar
jbisht
Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Last visit: 27 Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
11
 [2]
Given Kudos: 17
Posts: 16
Kudos: 11
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
More the no. of pages, more the no. of typist required.
more the minutes available, lesser the no. of typist required.
therefore, no. of typist is directly proportional to the no. of pages and inversely proportional to the no. of minutes
Hence, No of typist = 2x(18/2)x(2/6) = 6
User avatar
Pushpinder
Joined: 20 Feb 2013
Last visit: 30 Oct 2019
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 9
Kudos: 17
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If two typists can type two pages in two minutes, how many typists will it take to type 18 pages in six minutes?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
D. 12
E. 36

In 2 minutes 2 typists type 2 pages which means that in 6 minutes they will type 6 pages but to type 18 pages (3 times) we need 3 times more typists i.e. 2 x 3 = 6 typists.

OR (A more structured approach)

2 Typists ------- 2 pages ---------- 2 minutes

2 Typist --------- 1 page ----------- 1 minutes

1 Typist --------- 1/2 page --------- 1 minute

1 Typist --------- 3 pages ----------- 6 minutes

6 Typists -------- 18 pages --------- 6 minutes

OR
User avatar
thorinoakenshield
Joined: 03 Jan 2015
Last visit: 28 Mar 2015
Posts: 50
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 223
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
WE:Research (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If two typists can type two pages in two minutes, how many typists will it take to type 18 pages in six minutes?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
D. 12
E. 36


SOLUTION:

Work = Rate*Time
2 pages = R*2 min
i.e. R = 1 page/min for 2 typist ---- (i)

18 pages = R*6 min
i.e. R = 3 pages/min for N typists ---- (ii)

Eq.(ii) = 3*(i) i.e. N typists are 3x faster than 2 typists. Therefore N = 2*3 = 6 typists

ANSWER: c
avatar
PareshGmat
Joined: 27 Dec 2012
Last visit: 10 Jul 2016
Posts: 1,531
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 193
Status:The Best Or Nothing
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Technology
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Posts: 1,531
Kudos: 8,272
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Rate per typist per page \(= \frac{2}{2*2} = \frac{1}{2}\)

Rate ............... No. of typists .............. Time ............ Pages(Work done)

\(\frac{1}{2}\) ..................... x ........................... 6 ................... 18

\(x = \frac{18}{6} * 2 = 6\)

Answer = C = 6
User avatar
Arsh4MBA
Joined: 19 Jul 2017
Last visit: 14 Oct 2017
Posts: 68
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 85
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GPA: 3.5
Posts: 68
Kudos: 26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
arkle
If two typists can type two pages in two minutes, how many typists will it take to type 18 pages in six minutes?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
D. 12
E. 36

Could anyone plz explain a robust approach to solve above mentioned problem.I mostly get confused in RT=W probs.Thanks!

Including the number of ppl in the RT equation

Given 2*R*2 = 2; so R=1/2;

Now N*1/2*6=18; N=18/3 = 6

So Ans:C
User avatar
sasyaharry
Joined: 22 Nov 2016
Last visit: 11 Mar 2023
Posts: 199
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 49
Concentration: Leadership, Strategy
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
2 typists - 2 pages - 2 mins
1 typist - 1 page - 2 mins
1 typist - 1/2 page -1 min

W = 18 ; T=6, R=x*1/2 (x is the number of typists needed to type at a rate of 1/2)
W=RT
x=3
User avatar
gps5441
Joined: 04 May 2014
Last visit: 03 Feb 2018
Posts: 106
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 126
Location: India
WE:Sales (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)
Posts: 106
Kudos: 82
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
or use the formula
M1XT1/J1=M2XT2/J2

M1=manpower=2
T1=time=2mins
J1=Job=2 pages

M2=?
T1=6mins
J1=18 pages

2X2/2=M1X6/18=6 Ans=c
User avatar
SalahT
Joined: 11 Jun 2021
Last visit: 23 Dec 2025
Posts: 275
Own Kudos:
436
 [1]
Given Kudos: 18
GPA: 3.86
Posts: 275
Kudos: 436
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
To solve it in a simple way,
2 pages written in 2 minutes by 2 typist
1 page written in 1 minutes by 2 typist
18 pages written in 18 minutes by 2 typist

18 pages written in \(18/3\)=6 minutes by \(2*3\)=6 typist
avatar
ishmi
Joined: 19 Jan 2024
Last visit: 01 Oct 2025
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 83
Posts: 5
Kudos: 4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
arkle
If two typists can type two pages in two minutes, how many typists will it take to type 18 pages in six minutes?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
D. 12
E. 36

Could anyone plz explain a robust approach to solve above mentioned problem.I mostly get confused in RT=W probs.Thanks!
­or we can also use the fomula Machine Power*time/Work=Constant,

i.e x*6/18=2*2/2  so x=6
 
User avatar
ronnnie
Joined: 28 Apr 2024
Last visit: 27 Nov 2024
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 36
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1: 605 Q79 V81 DI80
WE:Engineering (Technology)
GMAT Focus 1: 605 Q79 V81 DI80
Posts: 9
Kudos: 3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
method to remember : no. of person * time * rate = work

here, 2 person, 2min, 2 pages . placing them in formula: 2 * 2 * rate = 2 , hence rate = 1/2.

now, 18 pages, 6mins, placing in same formula: no. of person * 6 * 1/2 = 18 , hence no. of person = 6 (answer)
User avatar
Gmatwhutwhut
Joined: 02 Aug 2021
Last visit: 15 May 2025
Posts: 19
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 47
Location: Singapore
Posts: 19
Kudos: 29
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quick solution for RTD questions.

1. When you see rates questions, always write down RTD
2. Fill it in, from right to left, 2 pages, 2 minutes, , so R = D/T, 2/2 which is 1 under rate
3. This is for two typists
4. Always find rate for 1 typist, so multiply the denominator by 2 as it will take twice as long.
5. How many typists will it take to multiply by 1/2 * 6 = 18?
Attachments

Screenshot 2024-09-17 185914.png
Screenshot 2024-09-17 185914.png [ 43.94 KiB | Viewed 8516 times ]

User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,963
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,963
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
109802 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts