4 knitters can knit 100 gloves in 5 hours. How long would it take 3 knitters to knit the same amount?

Answer 1

4 knitters take 5 hours,

8 would take 4/8 = 1/2 as long = 5x1/2 = 2.5 hours

1 knitter alone would take 4 times as long = 4x5 = 20 hours

2 would take 4/2 or twice as long = 2x5 = 10 hours

3 would take 4/3 as long as 4 knitters or (4/3)x5 = 20/3 = 6 2/3 hours = 6 hours 40 minutes

theoretically,

zero knitters would take an infinite amount of time

an infinite number of knitters would take zero time

A graph could plot number of knitters on the x axis and time on the y axis

the hyperbolic line would include points (8, 2.5), (4.7, 4.7), (4, 5), (3, 6 2/3), (2,10), (1,20)

the x and y axes are asymptotes for the rectangular hyperbola

the equation of the hyperbola is xy = 20

only the 1st quadrant branch is relevant

as the 3rd quadrant branch involves negative time and negative numbers of knitters

xy = 20

(4)(5) = 20 for 4 knitters and 5 hours

(3)(20/3) = 20 for 3 knitters and 20/3 hours = 6 hours and 40 minutes