Final answer:
The number of machines is halved, leading to doubling the time needed to complete the order. Therefore, it would take 44 hours with half the number of machines.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find out how many hours it would take to fill the order if the number of working machines decreased by a factor of 2, we need to understand the rate at which the fudge machines work. Since six machines working simultaneously complete a big order in 22 hours, it implies that each machine contributes to 1/6 of the order per hour. If the number of machines decreases by a factor of 2, this means there are now 6 / 2 = 3 machines working.
As the rate of work for the machines remains the same, and we now have half the number of machines working, it will take twice as long to complete the same order. Therefore, it will take 3 machines, 22 hours × 2 = 44 hours to complete the order. The answer to how many hours it would take if the number of working machines decreased by a factor of 2 is Option B) 44 hours.