# GMAT OFFICIAL GUIDE DS – Three machines K, M…

## Solution:

We are given that machines K, M, and P, working simultaneously and independently at their respective constant rates, can complete a certain task in 24 minutes.  If we consider the entire task to be equal to 1, then the rates of machines K, M and P are:

1/K = the rate of machine K to complete the task

1/M = the rate of machine M to complete the task

1/P = the rate of machine P to complete the task

Since it takes machines K, M, and P, working simultaneously and independently, 24 minutes, the combined rate of machines K, M, and P is 1 task per 24 minutes. That is,

1/K + 1/M + 1/P = 1/24

We need to determine how long it takes machine K to complete the task, or, in other words, the rate of machine K.  Since 1/K + 1/M + 1/P = 1/24, the rate of machine K is:

1/K = 1/24 – 1/M – 1/P

1/K = 1/24 – (1/M + 1/P)

Thus, if we can determine the value of (1/M + 1/P), we can determine the value of 1/K.

Statement One Alone:

Machines M and P, working simultaneously and independently at their respective constant rates, can complete the task in 36 minutes.

From statement one we know:

1/M + 1/P = 1/36

Thus, the rate for machine K to complete the task is 1/24 – 1/36 = 3/72 – 2/72 = 1/72.

Statement one alone is sufficient to answer the question. We can eliminate answer choices B, C, and E.

Statement Two Alone:

Machines K and P, working simultaneously and independently at their respective constant rates, can complete the task in 48 minutes.

From statement two we know:

1/K + 1/P = 1/48

This is not enough information to determine the rate of K.

Statement two alone is not sufficient to answer the question.