Rick and Shane are each assigned an equal number of widgets. Neither will take breaks in order to complete this assignment as quickly as possible. Rick offers to do a certain percentage of Shane's assignment so that they both finish at the same time. What percentage of Shane's original assignment does Rick do?
A. 12.50%
B. 14.30%
C. 16.70%
D. 25%
Answer:B
Rick and Shane are each assigned an equal number of widgets. Neither will take breaks in order to complete this assignment as quickly as possible. Rick offers to do a certain percentage of Shane's assignment so that they both finish at the same time. What percentage of Shane's original assignment does Rick do?
A. 12.50% B. 14.30% C. 16.70% D. 25%
Explanation: B First, solve for Rick's hourly rate and Shane's hourly rate. Since Work = Rate × Time, Rick produces 8 widgets per hour (28 widgets ÷ 3.5 hours without breaks) and Shane produces 27 ÷ 3.5 = 6 widgets per hour. Now plug in. Since you know they have a combined rate of 14 widgets per hour, choose a total amount that is divisible by 14. Let's say they were each assigned 14. This means that the total produced is 28, and at a total rate of 14 per hour. Therefore, it takes them 2 hours to finish. During this time Rick would produce 16 widgets and Shane would produce 12 widgets. Therefore, Rick must have done 2 of Shane's originally assigned 14 widgets, which is 14.3% of 14. This matches (B).