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MathRevolution
[GMAT math practice question]

A factory has two machines. Machine X can produce 200 pins per hour and machine Y can produce 500 pins per hour. At least one machine is in operation throughout the 8-hour work day. The factory must produce 5,000 pins every day. What is the least possible number of hours that machines X and Y must work together on each day?

A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
E. 8

question needs to be understood well before solving as i found it to be a bit confusing;

given ; At least one machine is in operation throughout the 8-hour work day
since we need to find the least together working hours so so let the machine Y with highest rate be in operation for 8 hrs ; it will produce ; 8*500; 4000 pins
left with 5000-4000; 1000 pins ; since contribution of both machines is required so machine x will take ; 1000/200; 5 hrs
now see wording
what is the least possible number of hours that machines X and Y must work together on each day
the least hours worked by both machine will be 5 hrs ; but total hours would be 13 ..
IMO B
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=>

In order to minimize the number of hours that the two machines work together, the more efficient machine \(Y\) should work for the entire day.

Thus, \(Y\) works for \(8\) hours and produces \(8 * 500 = 4,000\) pins.

There are \(1,000\) pins remaining for machine \(X\) to produce. This takes \(\frac{1,000}{200} = 5 hours.\)

Therefore, B is the answer.
Answer: B
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700*n + 500*(8-n) = 5000
700n + 4000 - 500n = 5000
200n = 1000
n=5

p.s i used this method to solve the question within 20 seconds.
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Better to approach through options as we have to find least time and options are in ascending order.

Rate X - 200, Rate Y - 500, Rate X+Y= 700.
Total work - 5000

Option 1 - 4 hours
Total pins in 4 hours working together = (700 * 4)= 2800
Remaining pins = 5000 - 2800 = 2200
Remaining hours = 4
we can't produce 2200 pins by working X & Y alone for 4 hours (X in 4 hours will produce 2000 and Y will 800)

Option 2 - 5 hours
Total pins in 5 hours working together = (700 * 5)= 3500
Remaining pins = 5000 - 3500 = 1500
Remaining hours = 3
We can produce 1500 pins by working Y for 3 hours. Hence the option is perfect.
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