SOLUTION: Parallel processing is the simultaneous use of more than one computer to run a program. Suppose one computer, working alone, takes 16 h longer than a second computer to run a progr

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Question 1058306: Parallel processing is the simultaneous use of more than one computer to run a program. Suppose one computer, working alone, takes 16 h longer than a second computer to run a program that determines whether a number is prime. After the computers work together for 1 h, the faster computer crashes. The slower computer continues for another 14 h before completing the program. How long would it take the faster computer, working alone, to complete the program?
Answer by KMST(5328) (Show Source):
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= number of hours the faster computer needs to do the whole job by itself
= number of hours the slower computer needs to do the whole job by itself
= fraction of the task done by the faster computer in one hour
= fraction of the task done by the slower computer in one hour
We know that the task was completed with work from both computers,
with the slower computer working during
hours,
and the faster computer working for one hour.
So, our equation is

Multiplying both sides of the equal sign times we eliminate denominators to get

So, = number of hours that the faster computer needs to do the whole job by by itself;
= number of hours that the slower computer needs to do the whole job by itself,
meaning that the faster computer is times faster.
If we interpret the question as asking for the time it takes the faster computer to run the program working by itself from start to end,
the answer is .
NOTE:
Sometimes the question meant does not agree with our interpretation,
and we are puzzled by the answer that is considered the correct answer.
If they meant how long would have taken the faster computer to finish the job after the two computers worked together for 1 hour,
that would be .