16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisVery hardCombined rate of two machines

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

Machine A can fill 180 bottles in 45 minutes, and Machine B can fill 120 bottles in 40 minutes. Working together at these rates, how many minutes will the two machines take to fill 350 bottles?

Answer: 50

Rates: A fills 4 bottles/min, B fills 3 bottles/min, together 7 bottles/min. 350 ÷ 7 = 50 minutes.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 85
85 adds the two times (45 + 40); working together is faster than either alone.
If you answered 87.5
87.5 divides 350 by 4, using only Machine A's rate.
If you answered 116.7
116.7 divides 350 by 3, using only Machine B's rate.

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