A and B together can do a work in 12 days, B and C together can do it in 15 days, C and A together can do it in 20 days. In how many days will A, B and C finish the work if they all work together?
- AOption (a)
20
- BOption (b)
5
- COption (c)
30
- DOption (d)
10
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Correct answer
10
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Assume Total Work = LCM(12, 15, 20) = 60 units.
Efficiency of 2(A + B + C) = Efficiency(A+B) + Efficiency(B+C) + Efficiency(C+A) = 5 + 4 + 3 = 12 units/day.
Efficiency of (A + B + C) = 12 ÷ 2 = 6 units/day.
Time taken by A, B, and C together = 60 ÷ 6 = 10 days.
∴ The correct answer is 10 days.
Alternate Method
Given:
Time taken by (A + B) = 12 days
Time taken by (B + C) = 15 days
Time taken by (C + A) = 20 days
Formula Used:
Efficiency = Total Work ÷ Time
| Person | Days | Total Work (LCM) | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| A + B | 12 | 60 | 5 |
| B + C | 15 | 4 | |
| C + A | 20 | 3 |
Calculations:
⇒ Total Efficiency of 2(A + B + C) = 5 + 4 + 3 = 12
⇒ Efficiency of (A + B + C) = 12 ÷ 2 = 6
⇒ Days required for (A + B + C) = 60 ÷ 6 = 10 days
∴ The correct answer is 10 days.
Additional Information
Individual Efficiency Calculation
To find A's efficiency, subtract (B + C) from (A + B + C): 6 − 4 = 2. Similarly, B = 6 − 3 = 3 and C = 6 − 5 = 1.
Work and Time Relationship
Time is inversely proportional to efficiency. If efficiency doubles, the time required to complete the same work is halved.
Combined Rate Formula
For such cyclical pairs, 1/Timetotal = 1/2 × (1/T1 + 1/T2 + 1/T3).