Question

The law firm of Dewey, Cheethan, and Howe files claims against unscrupulous car repair shops that take advantage of consumers who know nothing about cars. A lawyer who takes a 20-minute break after every two hours of work can process one claim with six hours of work. If the lawyer takes a 20-minute break after every four hours of work she can process one claim with eight hours of work. If she takes a 20-minute break after every hour of work she can process one claim with just five hours of work. Which of these is the efficient method of production for Dewey, Cheetham, and Howe?

Answer 1

The three methods can be written as follows.

Time taken to file a case in each method:

Method 1: 6 hours of work and 3 breaks (20 minute break after 2 hours of work)so a total of 7 hours spent per case (The third break is included as that will still have to be spent for this case before starting the next case)

Method 2: 8 hours of work and 2 breaks so a total of 8 hours 40 minutes spent per case.

Method 3) 5 hours of work and 5 breaks(20 minute break after each hour) so the total time spent per case will be 5 hours and 100 minutes which is 6 hours and 40 minutes.

(All the breaks including the final one after the work has been done are included since it will still have to be spent before the next case can begin)

Out of the three methods the most efficient one will be the one which takes the least amount of time which is the third one with 6 hours and 40 minutes. Thus the efficient method will be 5 hours of work and 20 minutes of break after each hour.

Hope it’s clear. Do ask for any clarifications if required.