Question 1162253

shortest way: 

 {{{5}}} men {{{24}}} days
{{{15}}} men {{{3}}} times as many men means it takes{{{ 1/3}}} as long->{{{24/3= 8}}} days

or this way:

{{{5}}} men work at the rate of {{{1/24}}} hole per day

{{{1 }}}man works at the rate of {{{1/(5*24)=1/120}}} hole per day

{{{15}}} men works at the rate of {{{15/120}}} hole per day

So, our equation to solve is:

{{{(15/120)x=1}}} (1 hole, that is)

{{{15x=120}}}

{{{x=120/15}}}

 {{{x=8}}} days