SOLUTION: It takes 6 people a total of 12 days to paint a wall. How long it would take 4 people to paint the same wall, assuming they were all working at the same rate?

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Question 1160574: It takes 6 people a total of 12 days to paint a wall.
How long it would take 4 people to paint the same wall, assuming they were all working at the same rate?

Found 3 solutions by Edwin McCravy, saw, ikleyn:
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It takes 6 people a total of 12 days to paint a wall.
So it would take 1 person 6 times as long, or 72 days. (since 6×12=72)
How long would it take 4 people to paint the same wall?
Only 1/4 as long, or 18 days. (since 72×(1/4)=18). 

Edwin

Answer by saw(34) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Solution.
6 people's working rate
6x = 12 days
1 people's working rate
1/6x = 12 days
Divide both sides by 1/6
x = 72 days
4 people's working rate
4x = 72
Divide both sides by 4
x = 18 days
OR
4/6x = 12 days
Divide both sides by 4/6
x = 18 days
OR
6 people = 12 days
1 people = 12*6 = 72 days
4 people = 72/4 = 18 days



Answer by ikleyn(52788) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

The entire job is 6*12 = 72 working days (man-days).


With 4 workers, the job will be completed in  72%2F4 = 18 days.     ANSWER

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So, the standard solution is in two lines . . .