$A$ and $B$ working together complete a job in $10$ days. If $B$ worked twice as fast as he actually does,…

$A$ and $B$ working together complete a job in $10$ days. If $B$ worked twice as fast as he actually does, they would finish in $6$ days. $A$ alone takes:
  1. $24$ days
  2. $28$ days
  3. $30$ days
  4. $36$ days

Solution

Let $A$'s rate $= a$, $B$'s rate $= b$. Then $a + b = \dfrac{1}{10}$ and $a + 2b = \dfrac{1}{6}$. Subtract: $b = \dfrac{1}{6} - \dfrac{1}{10} = \dfrac{5 - 3}{30} = \dfrac{1}{15}$. So $a = \dfrac{1}{10} - \dfrac{1}{15} = \dfrac{3 - 2}{30} = \dfrac{1}{30}$. $A$ alone $= 30$ days.

Asked in: IMO

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