UPSC Prelims 2004 · General Studies
Question 142: Basic Numeracy
50 men or 80 women can finish a job in 50 days. A contractor deploys 40 men and 48 women for this work, but after every duration of 10 days, 5 men and 8 women are removed till the work is completed. The work is completed in
AnswerThe answer is (b).
50 men or 80 women do the job in 50 days, so one man equals 1.6 women and the job is 2,500 man-days. The gang of 40 men and 48 women equals 40 + 30 = 70 men. Each 10 days, 5 men and 8 women, equal to 10 men, leave. The strength is 70, 60, 50, 40, 30 men for five blocks: 700 + 600 + 500 + 400 + 300 = 2,500, so the work ends at 50 days.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) At 45 days only 2,350 man-days are done, short of 2,500.
- (b) Correct: 700 + 600 + 500 + 400 + 300 = 2,500 in 50 days.
- (c) The work is already complete at 50 days.
- (d) The work is already complete at 50 days.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2004, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.