Maths

Time, Work & Wages Guide & Practice

Learn efficiency method, unit work, wages division, pipe and cistern concepts with solved examples and free topic-wise online mock tests. Explore dynamic solver blueprints, master fundamental equations, examine step-by-step solved examples, and practice with real exam-grade mock test sets.

Core Foundations

Fundamental Formulas

  1. Work Relation: $\text{Work done} = \text{Time} \times \text{Efficiency}$
  2. Efficiency: $\text{Efficiency} \propto \frac{1}{\text{Time taken}}$ (for the same work).
    • If A can do a work in $n$ days, A's 1-day work = $\frac{1}{n}$.
    • If A is $k$ times as efficient as B, Ratio of efficiency $A:B = k:1$; Ratio of time taken $A:B = 1:k$.
  3. Group Work (MDH Formula): $\frac{M_1 D_1 H_1 E_1}{W_1} = \frac{M_2 D_2 H_2 E_2}{W_2}$ Where $M$=Men, $D$=Days, $H$=Hours, $E$=Efficiency, $W$=Work.

Efficiency as Percentage

Time to Complete ($n$)Work/Day (Fraction)Efficiency (%)
1 day1100%
2 days1/250%
3 days1/333.33%
4 days1/425%
5 days1/520%
10 days1/1010%

Thematic Deep-Dive

1. Two or More Persons Working Together

  • Two Persons: If A takes $x$ days and B takes $y$ days, together they take $\frac{xy}{x+y}$ days.
  • Three Persons: If A, B, and C take $x, y, z$ days, together they take $\frac{xyz}{xy+yz+zx}$ days.
  • LCM Method: Assume total work as the LCM of individual days to find daily "units" of work.

2. Work and Wages

  • Rule: Wages are distributed in proportion to the work done or efficiency (if time is the same).
  • Ratio: $\text{Wages of A} : \text{Wages of B} = \text{Efficiency of A} : \text{Efficiency of B}$.

3. Alternate Days / Hours

  • Find the combined work done in one "cycle" (e.g., 2 days for A then B).
  • Divide total work by cycle work to find total cycles and remaining work.

4. Men, Women, and Boys

  • Convert the group into a single unit (e.g., convert all into "equivalent men" or "equivalent boys").
  • Use the relation $M_1D_1 = M_2D_2$ after conversion.
  • Example: 12 Men = 24 Boys $\implies$ 1 Man = 2 Boys.

Solved Examples

1Basic Combined Work
Easy

Question: A can do a piece of work in 10 days and B in 15 days. In how many days can they complete the work together? a) 5 days b) 6 days c) 7 days d) 8 days

2Work and Wages
Moderate

Question: A and B can complete a work in 15 days and 10 days respectively. They contract the work for Rs. 75,000. What is B's share? a) Rs. 30,000 b) Rs. 40,000 c) Rs. 45,000 d) Rs. 50,000

3People Leaving Mid-Work
Moderate

Question: A can do a work in 10 days and B in 15 days. They work together for some days, then A leaves and B completes the remaining work in 8 days. After how many days did A leave? a) 2.4 days b) 2.8 days c) 3 days d) 4 days

4Group Conversion (Man/Woman)
Hard

Question: 4 men and 6 women can finish a job in 8 days, while 3 men and 7 women can finish it in 10 days. In how many days will 10 women finish it? a) 35 days b) 40 days c) 45 days d) 50 days

5Special Together Formula
Hard

Question: A and B together take $x$ days to complete a work. A alone takes 4 days more than $x$ and B alone takes 9 days more than $x$. Find $x$. a) 5 days b) 6 days c) 7 days d) 8 days

Practice Question Papers

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