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Bunuel
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A's work rate is (1/12) and that of B's is (1/15). Together in five days they did (5/12)+(5/15)=3/4. Hence C should finish (1/4) of the remaining part. In money terms A+C got ((720)*(2/3))=480 dollars. Hence 240 is left for B. B's average is (240)*(1/5)=48
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Rate of A = \(\frac{1}{12}\)

Rate of B = \(\frac{1}{15}\)

Combined rate = \(\frac{9}{60}\)

Work done in 5 days \(= \frac{9}{60} * 5 = \frac{45}{60}\)

Costing for 5 days combined work\(= \frac{45}{60} * 720 = 540\)

Work done in 5 days by B\(= \frac{1}{15} * 5 = \frac{5}{15}\)

Costing for 5 days for B \(= 540 * \frac{5}{15} * \frac{60}{45}= 240\)

Costing per day for B \(= \frac{240}{5} = 48\)

Answer = E
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How do we know how many days C worked, as it sounds like C commenced work after the 5 days that A & B worked?
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How do we know how many days C worked, as it sounds like C commenced work after the 5 days that A & B worked?

A and B working together in 5 days completed 5*(1/12 + 1/15) = 45/60 part of the job. Thus, C completed 15/60 th of the job alone. It does not matter in how many days C completed its part of the job because we need only proportion of the job done by A, B and C to determine B's share.
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Work done by A= 1/12
Work done by B=1/15
Let Total Work done be 60 units (taking LCM 12, 15)
So, Work done by A= 60/12=5 units per day
So, Work done by B=60/15=4 units per day
A & B work together for 5 days, so they complete (5+4)*5= 9*5=45 units and 60-45=15 units is completed by C
Thus proportion in which A,B and C can draw salary is
A : B : C
5units*5Days: 4units*5 days: 15units*1 day
25 : 20 : 15
5 : 4 : 3
Thus value of B's average wage = 4/(5+4+3)=4/12=1/3= x/720 thus x= 240 and average wage per day for 5 days= 240/5= 48 ; hence, option E
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Bunuel
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How do we know how many days C worked, as it sounds like C commenced work after the 5 days that A & B worked?

A and B working together in 5 days completed 5*(1/12 + 1/15) = 45/60 part of the job. Thus, C completed 15/60 th of the job alone. It does not matter in how many days C completed its part of the job because we need only proportion of the job done by A, B and C to determine B's share.

Thanks Bunuel

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shriramvelamuri

Can you please explain how you converted:

5/12: 5/15: 1/4==>> 5:4:3
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A, B, and C were to be paid in proportion to the part of work they did while working on the same piece of work. A and B individually can finish the piece of work in 12 days and 15 days respectively. They worked together for five days and then C completed the remaining work all alone. If $720 was the net sum to be paid for the entire work, what was the average daily wage of B?

(A) $144
(B) $90
(C) $60
(D) $54
(E) $48

Kudos for a correct solution.



Consider work to be 60 units

A can do the work in 12 days i.e. 5 units per day, hence 25 units in 5 days
B can do the same work in 15 days .i.e. 4 units per day, hence 20 units in 5 days

Working together for 5 days A&B complete 45 units in 5 days and remaining 15 units is completed by C.

Now, A did 25 units, B did 20 units and C did 15 units.

Therefore, wage for B is 4/12*720 = $240

Now, 240/5 = $48 per day
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A lot of information has been provided in the question stem which are not needed to solve this question. The only relevant information needed is B can complete the job by himself in 15 days, he worked for 5 days and the total payment for the job was $720. The correct approach was by tarangchhabra. Any other approach would involve wasting time unnecessarily to arrive at the same answer.
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