Josh takes 6 hours to paint a room. Margaret can paint the same room in 4 hours. Assuming their individual rates do not change, how long will it take them to paint the room together?
- A. 1.5 hours
- B. 2.4 hours
- C. 4.8 hours
- D. 5 hours
- E. 10 hours
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine how long it takes Josh and Margaret to paint the room together, we first calculate their individual rates. Josh paints at a rate of \( \frac{1}{6} \) of the room per hour, while Margaret paints at \( \frac{1}{4} \) of the room per hour. Combined, their rates are: \[ \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{12} + \frac{3}{12} = \frac{5}{12} \] This means together they paint \( \frac{5}{12} \) of the room per hour. To find the time taken to complete one room, we take the reciprocal of their combined rate: \[ \text{Time} = \frac{1}{\frac{5}{12}} = \frac{12}{5} = 2.4 \text{ hours} \] Option A (1.5 hours) is too short, as it implies a higher combined rate than possible. Option C (4.8 hours) suggests they are slower than working alone, which is incorrect. Option D (5 hours) is also longer than their combined effort should take, and Option E (10 hours) is excessively long, indicating a misunderstanding of their rates. Thus, 2.4 hours accurately reflects their collaborative efficiency.
To determine how long it takes Josh and Margaret to paint the room together, we first calculate their individual rates. Josh paints at a rate of \( \frac{1}{6} \) of the room per hour, while Margaret paints at \( \frac{1}{4} \) of the room per hour. Combined, their rates are: \[ \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{12} + \frac{3}{12} = \frac{5}{12} \] This means together they paint \( \frac{5}{12} \) of the room per hour. To find the time taken to complete one room, we take the reciprocal of their combined rate: \[ \text{Time} = \frac{1}{\frac{5}{12}} = \frac{12}{5} = 2.4 \text{ hours} \] Option A (1.5 hours) is too short, as it implies a higher combined rate than possible. Option C (4.8 hours) suggests they are slower than working alone, which is incorrect. Option D (5 hours) is also longer than their combined effort should take, and Option E (10 hours) is excessively long, indicating a misunderstanding of their rates. Thus, 2.4 hours accurately reflects their collaborative efficiency.
Other Related Questions
The number of years the employee has been employed by the city is at least 25 years. The sum of the employee's age and number of years employed by the city is at least 90 years. Larry has been employed by the city since his 38th birthday. Assuming he continues to work for the city, at what age will he first qualify for full retirement benefits?
- A. 52
- B. 55
- C. 62
- D. 63
- E. 64
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: E
To qualify for full retirement benefits, Larry must be at least 25 years employed and have a combined age and years of service of at least 90 years. Since he started working at age 38, he will reach 25 years of employment at age 63. At that point, his age (63) plus his years of service (25) totals 88, which does not meet the 90-year requirement. At age 64, he will have 26 years of service, bringing the total to 90 years (64 + 26), thus meeting both criteria. Options A (52), B (55), and C (62) do not allow for 25 years of service, while D (63) fails to meet the age and service sum requirement.
To qualify for full retirement benefits, Larry must be at least 25 years employed and have a combined age and years of service of at least 90 years. Since he started working at age 38, he will reach 25 years of employment at age 63. At that point, his age (63) plus his years of service (25) totals 88, which does not meet the 90-year requirement. At age 64, he will have 26 years of service, bringing the total to 90 years (64 + 26), thus meeting both criteria. Options A (52), B (55), and C (62) do not allow for 25 years of service, while D (63) fails to meet the age and service sum requirement.
The following is a list of triangles: I. Right triangles, II. Isosceles triangles, III. Equilateral triangles. A pair of triangles from which of these groups must be similar to each other?
- A. I only
- B. II only
- C. III only
- D. I and III only
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Triangles from group III, equilateral triangles, are always similar to each other because they all have equal angles of 60 degrees, regardless of their size. Group I, right triangles, can vary significantly in angle measures beyond the right angle, so not all right triangles are similar. Similarly, group II, isosceles triangles, can have different base angles, leading to non-similar triangles. Thus, while right and isosceles triangles can share properties, only equilateral triangles guarantee similarity across the group. Therefore, option C accurately identifies the group with universally similar triangles.
Triangles from group III, equilateral triangles, are always similar to each other because they all have equal angles of 60 degrees, regardless of their size. Group I, right triangles, can vary significantly in angle measures beyond the right angle, so not all right triangles are similar. Similarly, group II, isosceles triangles, can have different base angles, leading to non-similar triangles. Thus, while right and isosceles triangles can share properties, only equilateral triangles guarantee similarity across the group. Therefore, option C accurately identifies the group with universally similar triangles.
What are the solutions to (x-2)(x+4) = 0?
- A. -4 and 2
- B. -3 and 1
- C. -2 and 4
- D. -1 and 1
- E. -1 and 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To solve the equation (x-2)(x+4) = 0, we apply the zero product property, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Setting each factor to zero gives us the equations x - 2 = 0 and x + 4 = 0. Solving these yields x = 2 and x = -4, confirming that the solutions are -4 and 2. Options B, C, D, and E provide incorrect pairs of solutions that do not satisfy the original equation when substituted back in. Each of these pairs results in non-zero products for the factors, thus failing to meet the requirement of the equation.
To solve the equation (x-2)(x+4) = 0, we apply the zero product property, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Setting each factor to zero gives us the equations x - 2 = 0 and x + 4 = 0. Solving these yields x = 2 and x = -4, confirming that the solutions are -4 and 2. Options B, C, D, and E provide incorrect pairs of solutions that do not satisfy the original equation when substituted back in. Each of these pairs results in non-zero products for the factors, thus failing to meet the requirement of the equation.
The expression 6a + 4c represents the total price, in dollars, of admission to an air show for a adults and c children. On Saturday, 380 adults and 120 children paid admission to the air show. What was the total price of admission for those people?
- A. 524
- B. 2240
- C. 2760
- D. 5000
- E. 12000
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To find the total price of admission, substitute the values of adults (a) and children (c) into the expression 6a + 4c. Here, a = 380 and c = 120. Calculating: 6(380) + 4(120) = 2280 + 480 = 2760. Thus, the total price is 2760 dollars. Option A (524) is too low, as it doesn't account for the number of attendees. Option B (2240) underestimates the total, likely misunderstanding the pricing structure. Option D (5000) and Option E (12000) are excessively high, suggesting a miscalculation or misunderstanding of the pricing per adult and child.
To find the total price of admission, substitute the values of adults (a) and children (c) into the expression 6a + 4c. Here, a = 380 and c = 120. Calculating: 6(380) + 4(120) = 2280 + 480 = 2760. Thus, the total price is 2760 dollars. Option A (524) is too low, as it doesn't account for the number of attendees. Option B (2240) underestimates the total, likely misunderstanding the pricing structure. Option D (5000) and Option E (12000) are excessively high, suggesting a miscalculation or misunderstanding of the pricing per adult and child.