solve problem

Question

The time t required to do a job varies inversely as the number of people working. It takes 3 hr for 5 cooks to prepare the food for a wedding rehersal dinner. How long will it take 8 cooks to prepare the dinner.

Answer 1

Let n = number of people working

 

Since t varies inversely as n, t = k/n, for some constant, n.

 

t = 3 when n =5, so 3 = k/5.

 

Therefore, k = 15

 

t = 15/n

 

So, when n = 8, t = 15/8 = 1.875 hours