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Basics Time & Work Video Lecture - CSAT Preparation - UPSC
FAQs on Basics: Time & Work
| 1. How do I calculate work done if multiple people work together for different time periods? |  |
Ans. When workers collaborate with varying durations, multiply each person's work rate by their time period, then sum the results. For example, if Worker A completes 1/5 of a job daily for 3 days and Worker B completes 1/8 daily for 4 days, total work = (1/5 × 3) + (1/8 × 4) = 3/5 + 1/2 = 11/10, which exceeds the full job. This combined work principle is essential for solving partnership problems in time and work questions.
| 2. What's the difference between work rate and time in work problems, and why does it matter? | |
Ans. Work rate measures how much of a job one person completes per unit time, while time represents the duration needed. They're inversely proportional: higher work rate means less time required. If Worker X completes a job in 10 days, their daily work rate is 1/10. Understanding this inverse relationship helps students solve complex time and work questions involving efficiency comparisons and combined labour scenarios.
| 3. How do I solve problems where one person works faster than another? | |
Ans. Compare their work rates as fractions of the total job. If Person A finishes in 6 days (rate = 1/6) and Person B finishes in 9 days (rate = 1/9), Person A works faster. When working together, add their rates: 1/6 + 1/9 = 5/18, meaning they complete the full job in 18/5 or 3.6 days. This approach to calculating relative efficiency is fundamental for CUET Commerce competitive exams.
| 4. Can I use work formulas even when workers have different skill levels or efficiencies? | |
Ans. Yes-adjust each worker's daily output to reflect their efficiency level. If Worker A completes 10 units daily and Worker B (less skilled) completes 6 units at the same task, treat them as different work rates proportionally. The core time and work formulas remain valid; just represent efficiency through adjusted rate values. Flashcards and mind maps help visualize these efficiency-adjusted scenarios effectively.
| 5. What are the common mistakes students make when solving time and work problems for exams? | |
Ans. Common errors include forgetting to add work rates when workers labour simultaneously, confusing individual time with combined time, and miscalculating fractions. Students often forget that if Person A completes 1/8 daily and Person B completes 1/12 daily, their combined rate is 1/8 + 1/12 = 5/24, not a simple average. Double-checking fraction addition and ensuring rates align with the problem context prevents these costly mistakes.
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Apr 18, 2026 Last updated
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