Ace Time and Work Questions: Most Common Problem Types Explained

Time and Work problems are a staple in math and aptitude tests, often testing your ability to understand efficiency, collaboration, and completion times. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the most common types of Time and Work problems along with their key questions and formulas to make problem-solving a breeze.

Type	Key Question	Key Formula/Approach
Simple Work Completion	How much work is done when A and B alternate?	Time= $\frac{\text{Total Work}}{\text{Efficiency}}$
Teamwork	How long for A and B together?	Time= $\frac{\text{Total Work}}{\text{Efficiency of A + B}}$
Alternate Working	How much work done when A and B alternate?	Add individual contributions per cycle.
Pipes and Cisterns	How much time to fill/empty a tank?	Net Rate = Inflow Rate − Outflow Rate
Fractional Work Done	What fraction of the job is complete after X days?	Work Done = Efficiency × Time
Work Left	How much time is left to finish?	Remaining Work = Total Work − Work Done

With these problems and formulas at your fingertips, you’re now equipped to approach Time and Work questions confidently and efficiently. Practice these regularly to master the art of solving them quickly!

You can practice questions on this topic at Time and Work.