A team of 14 persons can complete a job in 16 days (uniform productivity). Initially, 8 persons start the work and continue for 12 days. After 12 days, 8 more persons join (so the team becomes 16 persons). How many days will the team take to complete the remaining work after the new members join?

Aptitude Time and Work Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
Answer

Correct Answer: None of these

Explanation

Introduction / Context:This is a classic manpower–time problem with a change in crew size mid-project. We translate total work into person-days, account for work already done, and then compute the duration for the remainder with the increased team.

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • 14 persons complete the work in 16 days ⇒ total work W = 14 * 16 person-days = 224 person-days.
  • Phase 1: 8 persons work for 12 days.
  • Phase 2: 8 more join ⇒ 16 persons for the remainder.
  • Uniform productivity per person per day.

Concept / Approach:Compute the total work in person-days. Subtract the contribution of the first phase (already completed). Divide leftover person-days by the new team size to get the additional days required after the joining event.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Total work W = 224 person-days.Work done in 12 days by 8 persons = 8 * 12 = 96 person-days.Remaining work = 224 - 96 = 128 person-days.After 12 days, team size = 16 persons.Days to finish remainder = 128 / 16 = 8 days.

Verification / Alternative check:Total elapsed time from the start would be 12 + 8 = 20 days. The question specifically asks for the time to complete the remaining work after the join, which is 8 days. Since 8 days is not among the listed numeric options, the correct choice is “None of these.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:12 days: Ignores increased manpower; would overshoot.7 days: Underestimates the remaining person-days for 16 workers.9 days: Overestimates remainder time compared with exact division (128/16).

Common Pitfalls:Confusing total duration with post-joining duration; not converting to person-days; or rounding prematurely. Always calculate remainder precisely.

Final Answer:None of these (the required time for the remainder is 8 days)

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