Problema Solution

If 4 boys can shovel a driveway in 2 hours, then how many minutes will it take 5 boys to do the job?

Answer provided by our tutors

the number of boys 'b' working is inversely proportional with the time 't' needed to finish the job:


b*t = k, where k is constant


knowing that b = 4 boys, t = 2 hr we find k:


k = 2*4


k = 8


now we know that b*t = 8


t = 8/b


if b = 5 boys we find for t:


t = 8/5


t = 1 3/5 hr


t = 1 hr 3*60/5 min


t = 1 hr 26 min


t = 96 min (since 1 hr = 60 min)


5 boys will need 96 min to do the job.