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*(1/x+12)+(1/x+27)= 1/x
*(x+27+x+12)/[(x+12)(x+27)]=1/x
*(2x+39)/[(x+12)(x+27)]=1/x
2x^2+39x=x^2+39x+324
*X^2-324=0
*X=18

Posted from my mobile device
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chetan2u
Bunuel
Mark and Kate individually take 12 hours more and 27 hours more, respectively, to complete a certain project than what they would have taken to complete the same project working together. How many hours do Mark and Kate take to complete the project, working together?

(A) 12
(B) 16
(C) 18
(D) 24
(E) 39


The statement becomes \(\frac{1}{x+12}\)+\(\frac{1}{x+27}\)=\(\frac{1}{x}\)

Substitute the choices and see what fits in...


(A) 12.....1/24+1/27=1/12.....no because 1/12 is 2 times 1/24
(B) 16.....1/28+1/41=1/16.....no,because 41 cannot get cancelled being prime
(C) 18......1/30+1/45=1/15....75/30*45=5/2*45=1/2*9=1/18..yes
(D) 24......1/36+1/51=1/24...again no
(E) 39..same way no

C


chetan2u why are you adding values in denominator, as per the question if they work together with +12 and+27 hours it, then working together it means that their times should be x-12 and x-27 respectively
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Bunuel
Mark and Kate individually take 12 hours more and 27 hours more, respectively, to complete a certain project than what they would have taken to complete the same project working together. How many hours do Mark and Kate take to complete the project, working together?

(A) 12
(B) 16
(C) 18
(D) 24
(E) 39

We can let x = the number of hours it would take Mark and Kate to finish the project if they were working together. Thus, Mark’s rate by himself is (x + 12) hours, and Kate’s rate by herself is (x + 27) hours.

Let’s create the equation for their rates. Mark’s rate is 1/(x + 12), Kate’s rate is 1/(x + 27), and their combined rate is 1/x. Thus, we have:

1/(x+12) + 1/(x+27) = 1/x

Multiplying by x(x+27)(x+12) we have:

x(x+27) + x(x+12) = (x+27)(x+12)

x^2 + 27x + x^2 + 12x = x^2 + 39x + 324

x^2 = 324

x = 18

Answer: C
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Mark and Kate individually take 12 hours more and 27 hours more, respectively, to complete a certain project than what they would have taken to complete the same project working together. How many hours do Mark and Kate take to complete the project, working together?

x = √(a*b)

x = time taken for Mark and Kate to do job together, a = the additional time Mark takes to complete the job alone (i.e T+12), b = the additional time Kate takes to complete job alone (i.e T +27)

x = √324
x = 18

This is the fastest way for these.

Got this method from ganand.
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Given: Mark and Kate individually take 12 hours more and 27 hours more, respectively, to complete a certain project than what they would have taken to complete the same project working together.

Asked: How many hours do Mark and Kate take to complete the project, working together?

Let Mark and Kate individually take m & k hours to complete the work

Mark and Kate individually take 12 hours more and 27 hours more, respectively, to complete a certain project than what they would have taken to complete the same project working together.

m = 12 + mk/(m+k)
k = 27 + mk/(m+k)
m - 12 = k - 27 = mk/(m+k)
k = m + 15
m - 12 = m(m+15)/(2m+15)
(m-12)/m = (m+15)/(2m+15)
m/12 = (2m+15)/m
mˆ2 = 12(2m+15)
mˆ2 - 24m - 180 = 0
(m-30)(m+6) = 0
m = 30
k = m + 15 = 45
mk/(m+k) = 30*45/(30+45) = 18

IMO C
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