Question 896658
Let r = work rate for 1 person in jobs/day.
Let p = number of people to do 1 job in 36 days.


{{{p*r*36=1}}}, expected.


p-8 people DID come to work, and the job took 54 days.

{{{highlight_green((p-8)*r*54=p*r*36)}}}
Solve for p, and then compute p-8.


{{{(p-8)*54=p*36}}}
{{{54p-8*54=36p}}}
{{{54p-36p=8*54}}}
{{{18p=8*54}}}
{{{p=8*54/18=8*27/9=8*3}}}
{{{highlight(p=24)}}}
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Actual people who DID the work was {{{highlight(16)}}}