SOLUTION: Three machines A,B,C operating at the same time can do a job in 8 hours. If A alone operates for 2 hours and B alone for 3 hours, one-fourth of the job is done. Now if B alone ope

Question 921634: Three machines A,B,C operating at the same time can do a job in 8 hours. If A alone operates for 2 hours and B alone for 3 hours, one-fourth of the job is done. Now if B alone operates for 5 hours and C alone for 14 hours, one-half of the job is done. How many hours would it take each to do the job alone?

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Three machines A,B,C operating at the same time can do a job in 8 hours.
If A alone operates for 2 hours and B alone for 3 hours, one-fourth of the job is done.
Now if B alone operates for 5 hours and C alone for 14 hours, one-half of the job is done.
How many hours would it take each to do the job alone?
:
let a = time required by machine A alone
let b = time required by B
let c = time required by C
:
Write an equation for each statement.
:
let the completed job = 1
:
Three machines A,B,C operating at the same time can do a job in 8 hours.
+ + = 1
:
If A alone operates for 2 hours and B alone for 3 hours, one-fourth of the job is done.
+ =
:
Now if B alone operates for 5 hours and C alone for 14 hours, one-half of the job is done.
+ =
:
multiply the 2nd equation by 4, subtract from the 1st equation
+ + = 1
+ + 0 = 1
---------------------------------subtraction eliminates a
0 - + = 0
=
divide both sides 4
=
cross multiply
1c = 2b
in the 3rd original equation replace c with 2b
+ =
Reduce the fraction
+ =
=
b = 24 hrs working alone
then
c = 2(24)
c = 48 hrs alone
In the 2nd original equation, replace b with 24
+ =
reduce fraction
+ =
= -
=
a = 16 hrs working alone
:
:
You can confirm this yourself using the 1st equation
+ + = 1

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