Question

Please solve this quick word problem?

Answer 1

12 hours

Explanation:

Assume that all the workers have the same speed and efficiency.

If it takes 8 hours for 15 people, it will take 3 times more time for 1/3 of the people (i.e. 5 people) to complete the work. Which means 24 hours.

However, the question asks for the time needed for HALF the work. So, if it takes 24 hours for 5 people to FINISH the work, it will take then half the time to finish half the work (i.e. 12 hours).

Answer 2

`12` hours

Explanation:

`15` workers take `8` hours for all of the work

`15` workers take `8/2` hours for half of the work

`5` workers take `8*3` hours for all of the work

`5` workers take `(8*3)/2` hours for half of the work

`8*3/2 = 12`