P alone can do a piece of work in 24 days. The time taken by P to complete one-third of work is equal to time taken by Q to complete half of the work. How many days are required to complete by P and Q working together ?

Let the total work be 'W'

As per the given information,

P can complete the work 'W' in 24 days.

=> one day work of P = W/24

And also given that,

The time taken by P to complete one-third of work is equal to time taken by Q to complete half of the work

=> PW/3 = QW/2

=> P's

1 day =    W/24

   ?    =      W/3

=>  ?  = 24W/3W  = 8

=> QW/2 = 8 days

=> Q alone can complete the work W in 16 days

=> P + Q can complete the work in

1/24 + 1/16 = 5/48

=> 48/5 days = 9 3/5 days.