Question

Lana does yard work. The information below shows the approximate time for each job:

Mow small lawn - 1/2hr
Mow large lawn - 3/4hr
Tidy yard - 1 1/2hr
Plant annuals - 2 1/2hrs
For one Saturday, Lana needs to mow 3 small lawns, mow 1 large lawn, tidy 2 yards, and plant annuals once. She needs travel time between jobs, and a break for lunch. Do you think she will be able to complete all of the jobs in one day? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

No (see explanation below)

Explanation:

Approximate times to carry out each job:

• Mow small lawn = 1/2 hr
• Mow large lawn = 3/4 hr
• Tidy yard = 1 1/2 hr
• Plant annuals = 2 1/2 hrs

For one Saturday, Lana needs to:

• mow 3 small lawns
• mow 1 large lawn
• tidy 2 yards
• plant annuals once

Therefore, the total time for the jobs is:

`\begin{aligned}\sf Total\:time & = \sf 3\:small\:lawns+1\:large\:lawn+2\:tidy\:yards+1\:plant\:annuals\\\\& = \sf 3 \cdot (1)/(2)+(3)/(4)+2 \cdot 1 (1)/(2)+2(1)/(2)\\\\& = \sf 1 (1)/(2)+(3)/(4)+3+2(1)/(2)\\\\& =\sf 7 (3)/(4)\: hours\end{aligned}`

The likelihood of Lana being able to complete all the jobs in one day is dependent on how far she needs to travel between jobs and how long she wishes to break for lunch. A typical working day is around 8 hours. Therefore, unless Lana wishes to work for a longer day, it is unlikely she will be able to complete all of the jobs in one day as there is only 15 minutes available for traveling and lunch, which is likely not enough.

Answer 2

• No, not enough time

Explanation:

Time to complete each of jobs

• 1/2 * 3 = 1 1/2 hrs
• 3/4 * 1 = 3/4 hr
• 1 1/2 * 2 = 3 hrs
• 2 1/2 * 1 = 2 1/2 hrs

Total time at job

• 1 1/2 + 3/4 + 3 + 2 1/2 = 7 3/4 hrs

If the work day lasts for 8 hours, then Lana has only 1/4 hr to travel between jobs and a lunch break.

This time is not sufficient so she can't complete all the jobs.