Work Word Problems- More Than Two Persons

Work Problems are word problems that involve different people doing work together but at different rates. If the people were working at the same rate then we would use the Inversely Proportional Method instead.

The formula for “Work” Problems that involve two persons is

This formula can be extended for more than two persons. It can also be used in problems that involve pipes filling up a tank.

“Work” Problems: More than Two Persons

Example:

Jane, Paul and Peter can finish painting the fence in 2 hours. If Jane does the job alone she can finish it in 5 hours. If Paul does the job alone he can finish it in 6 hours. How long will it take for Peter to finish the job alone?

Solution:

Step 1: Assign variables:

Let x = time taken by Peter

Step 2: Use the formula:

Step 3: Solve the equation

Multiply both sides with 30x

Answer: The time taken for Peter to paint the fence alone is hours.

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