If 8 workers can complete a job in 6 days, how many workers are needed to complete the same job in 3 days?

If 8 workers can complete a job in 6 days, how many workers are needed to complete the same job in 3 days?

• A. 12
• B. 16
• C. 20
• D. 24

Answer: (B)

Total work is fixed, so the effort equals number of workers times days. If eight workers take six days, the job requires 8 × 6 = 48 worker-days of work. To finish in three days, you’d need 48 worker-days divided by 3 days, which is 16 workers. Doubling the workforce cuts the time by half, so going from eight to sixteen workers achieves the 3-day deadline exactly. Using fewer workers would push the finish date past three days, while more workers would finish sooner than three days.

Total work is fixed, so the effort equals number of workers times days. If eight workers take six days, the job requires 8 × 6 = 48 worker-days of work. To finish in three days, you’d need 48 worker-days divided by 3 days, which is 16 workers. Doubling the workforce cuts the time by half, so going from eight to sixteen workers achieves the 3-day deadline exactly. Using fewer workers would push the finish date past three days, while more workers would finish sooner than three days.