ENGAGE WORK PROBLEM
At home, we are often assigned to different chores by our parents. We hear
them say you do the laundry, wash the dishes, clean our room and many more.
The list is never ending. We sometimes tend to grumble and ask our siblings
especially the youngest to do it for us. Customarily, the eldest pass their
assigned task at home to their younger siblings and they are very expert on
this.
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EXPLORE With the use of algebra, we can roughly calculate the time we can finish our
task because those tasks can actually be converted into an algebraic equation.
These type of worded problem is called work problem. There are three types
of work problem. The first one is called piece of work where in the people
involved works to finish a certain task. The second is the work done in filling or
draining a tank and the third one is the manpower capability ration. For work
problems, there is a formula that we need to follow.
Rate x time = 1 piece of work
To finish a job or a piece of work, the rate of a person to do the job is multiplied
to the time he could finish that job and the product would be that piece of work.
Rate is usually in fraction form.
Looking at the figure below, you can say that the shaded portion is 1/5 of the
entire rectangle. The same applies with the rate I mentioned above. the entire
rectangle is 1 piece of work and 1/5 is just a fraction or a portion to finish a
piece of work.
Suggested steps in solving Work Problems
1. Express the missing value or unknown value as a variable
2. Determine which of the given is the rate and which is the time. Draw a
figure if necessary
3. Watch out for the keywords like drain, fill for the second type of work.
Formulate the equation by applying the formula
4. Solve for the unknown variable
Sample Problem 1:
Required:
The time when the pipe is filled if all three pipes are open (in hrs.)
Solution:
Step Let’s represent a variable “t” for the unknown value
1
Step There are three pipes in the given problem. The first two pipes can
2 fill the tank while the other one can empty the tank
Manipulating the formula “Rate x time = 1 piece of work”, rate =
1 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 1
. Thus, for P1, its rate is 4 . P2 and P3’s rate would be
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
1 1
and 5 respectively.
6
The numerator “1” is the one piece of work and the denominator is
the number of hours each pipe could finish filling or emptying the
tank.
We will now substitute the values into the formula,
Step Rate x time = 1 piece of work
3
P1 and P2 can fill the tank, that’s why the mathematical operation
is addition while P3 can empty the tank. Hence, the operation is
subtraction.
1 1 1
( + − ) 𝑡 = 1 − −→ 𝑒𝑞
4 6 5
Step 1 1 1
( + − )𝑡 = 1
4 4 6 5
Simplify the values inside the parenthesis.
13
( )𝑡 = 1
60
Apply the distributive property.
13𝑡
=1
60
Cross – multiply 60 and 1.
13𝑡 = 60
Divide both sides by 13 to get the value of t.
13𝑡 60
=
13 13
60
𝑡= ≅ 4.62
13
It would take 4.62 hrs. to fill the tank if all three pipes are open or
that is 4 hrs. 37 minutes and 12 seconds (4:37:12).
Sample Problem 2:
Kevin and his brother are carpenters. Kevin could build a fireplace and a
chimney in 5 days. With his brother’s help, they can build it in 2 days. How long
will it take for his brother to build it alone?
Required:
The time it would take for Kevin’s brother to finish building the
fireplace alone (in days)
Solution:
Step Let’s represent a variable “x” for the unknown value which is the
1 number of days for Kevin’s brother to finish building the fireplace
.
Step Kevin’s rate is 1/5 while his brother is 1/x.
2
Step Following the formula, we will add the rate of Kevin and his
3 brother because the problem says they could finish building the
fireplace in 2 days if they work together.
1 1
( + ) 2 = 1 − −→ 𝑒𝑞
5 𝑥
Step Let’s solve for the value of x which is the number days that
4 Kevin’s brother finishes building the fireplace alone.
𝑥+5
( )2 = 1
5𝑥
Apply distributive property by distributing 2 on the numerator.
2𝑥 + 10
=1
5𝑥
Cross – multiply 5x and 1.
2𝑥 + 10 = 5𝑥
Combine similar terms. Transpose 5x to the left – hand side of
the equation and 10 to the right – hand side of the equation.
2𝑥 − 5𝑥 = −10
.
− 3𝑥 = −10
Divide both sides by – 3 to get the value of x
−3𝑥
= −10
−3
𝑥 = 3.33
Therefore, it would take 3.33 days for Kevin’s brother to finish
building the fireplace alone.
EXPLAIN SUMMARY
In solving work problems, you should always remember the formula,
Rate x time = 1 piece of work
𝟏 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌
To solve for time, 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆
𝟏 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌
To solve for rate, 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
ELABORATE PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Solve the problems below and apply what you have learned so far. In this
practice problem, answers are provided on every problem so that you will know
if your answers are correct. Write your solutions on the blank pages after this.
Problems Answers
1 Pipe A can fill a container in six hours while pipe B can
fill it in three hours. Pipe C can empty the same 2.18 hrs.
container in twenty – four hours. How long will it take to
fill the container when all of three pipes will be left
opened?
2 A pipe can fill a barrel in ten hours. After it has been
opened for three and a half hours, another pipe is 16 hrs.
opened and the barrel is filled in four hours more. How
many hours would it take for the second pipe to fill the
barrel alone?
3 Three brothers decided to enclose their backyard. It
would take four days for Matthew to build the fence, 1 1/3 days
Mark in three days and Luke in six days. How many
days will they finish the project together?
4 Yohan can clean their house in sixteen hours while his
sister Lei can clean their house in nine hours. The work 2.75 hrs.
together for four hours but after four hours, Yohan left
his sister and Lei finished cleaning the house alone.
How many more hours did it take Lei to finish cleaning
the house?
5 It takes Meilin twice as long as it takes Xiulan to paint
the fence. If they work together, they can finish painting 9 days
the fence in six days. If Xiulan wanted to paint the fence
alone, how many days would it take her to finish
painting?
