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p=1/10 ,q=1/12 r= 1/15
pairs they can work together
PR= 1/10 +1/15 = 10/60
PQ = 1/10 + 1/12= 11/60
QR = 1/12 + 1/15 = 9/60

so together thwy can work in
10/60+11/60+9/60 = 1/2
so half work done in 3 hrs ; so 1 complete work would be done in 6 hrs
IMO C


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P, Q and R can do a certain job in 10 hours, 12 hours and 15 hours, while working individually. To finish the job, they started working together in pairs. However, none of the pairs work for more than an hour at a stretch and none of the persons can work for more than 2 hours at a stretch. What is the least time by which the job will be finished ?

    A. 4 hours
    B. 5 hours
    C. 6 hours
    D. 8 hours
    E. 12 hours


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Solution



Given:
In this question, we are given
    • P, Q and R can do a certain job in 10 hours, 12 hours and 15 hours, while working individually.
    • To finish the job, they started working together in pairs.
    • None of the pairs work for more than an hour at a stretch.
    • None of the persons can work for more than 2 hours at a stretch.

To find:
We need to determine
    • The least time by which the job will be finished.

Approach and Working:
Let us assume that the total job = LCM (10, 12, 15) = 60 units

Hence, in 1 hour,
    • P can do = \(\frac{60}{10}\) = 6 units
    • Q can do = \(\frac{60}{12}\) = 5 units
    • R can do = \(\frac{60}{15}\) = 4 units

As they are working in pairs, as a pair
    • 1-hour job of (P and Q) = (6 + 5) units = 11 units
    • 1-hour job of (P and R) = (6 + 4) units = 10 units
    • 1-hour job of (Q and R) = (5 + 4) units = 9 units

Therefore, in a span of 3 hours, the total work gets completed = (11 + 10 + 9) units = 30 units

So, to complete the total work, they will take another 3 hours or total 6 hours.

Hence the correct answer is Option C.

Answer: C

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Let total work = 60 Mhrs (LCM of 10,12 and 15)

A efficiency = 6 mhrs/hr
B efficiency = 5 mhrs/hr
C efficiency = 4 mhrs/hr
A and B efficiency =11 mhrs/hr
A and C efficiency =10 mhrs/ hr
B and C efficiency = 9 mhrs/hr
Work done in first 3 hrs = 11+10+9 =30
So it will take 6 hrs to finish the job.
Option C is the answer

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But it is not stated that the one left out person is not allowed to work. If they all work for 2 hours, changing the teams so that no team will work for more than an hour, we will always get to 1/2 of the work done after 2 hours. The 3 workers can make a break for the third hour so that no one works more than 2 hours and then start working again for 2 hours, again changing teams after an hour, and again to get 1/2 of the job done. I feel that the question lacks clarity in regard to that the one left out person is not allowed to work on his own. And why wouldn't he? Here a realistic scenario is presented and in such scenarios we are looking for the most efficient way to solve a problem, considering all the constraints. Not working alone is not such a constraint. Hence, I believe the question is not precise enough.
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There is a slight ambiguity here, though the question states they start working in pairs and we take the highest working pair, though it is not stated that we can't take any individual after the pair who works 2 hours (after the pair of highest work)

If there is no such ambiguity can you help me know how do we probe that the question requires us to go with pairs only ?
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