NET Math Help

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I've been reviewing math problems, and I'm stuck on a particular type of question. I know someone answered this question in the past few months but I can't seem to find the post anymore! Any help would be greatly appreciated--I'm feeling pretty dumb since I passed calculus but can't remember how to set up this problem!

If Sam can do a job in 4 days that takes Lisa 6 days and Tom 2 days, how long would the job take if Sam, Lisa and Tom worked together to complete it?

Please help me be one of the few who get an interview!

Specializes in Home Care.

Don't you just calculate the average number of days? Or is that just too easy? LOL

4 + 6 + 2 = 12

12/3 = 4

The answer is 1.09, so it's not an average.

I do like my coworker's answer, though. You fire Lisa because she's taking so long, and you fire Tom because he's making Sam look bad... so the answer is 4. :)

Specializes in Home Care.

oh wow, I've no idea how you came up with that answer. What is the formula?

I like your co-worker's answer too :)

What kind of application requires you to know that math?

I don't know the formula but I would think it through if all three of them work one day then Tom can finish 1/2 (0.5) the job in one day Sam can finish 1/4th (0.25) of the job and Lisa can finish 1/6th (0.16) of the job.

0.5

0.25

0.16

0.91 or 91% of the job would be finished by all three in one day

this leaves 0.09 or 9% of the job to be finished the next day

There may be some kind of formula for this but if there is I have forgotten it.

tlc2u, thanks, that makes sense! It's not extra scientific but should be perfect for picking out the right multiple choice answer.

I'm studying for the NET, and I encountered several problems like this. I only know the answer is 1.09 because that's what the answer key said. :)

I googled this word problem and here is what I found.

If you look at it this way.

1job/6days - Lisa = 2jobs/12days

1job/4days - Sam = 3jobs/12days

1job/2days - Tom = 6jobs/12days

A total of 11jobs/12days = 1job/xdays

12*1 = 11x

x=12/11 or 1.09days

this question is not even on the NET so i wouldn't worry about this type of math.

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