Inverse proportion in worker-time problems

Use inverse proportion to connect workers and time.

  • Identify what stays constant.
  • Use direct proportion for quantities that scale together.
  • Use inverse proportion for a fixed job shared by workers at the same rate.

Example 1

workers can complete a job in hours. How long would workers take? Assume all workers work at the same constant rate and the work can be shared equally.

The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.

Example 2

workers can complete a job in hours. How long would workers take? Assume all workers work at the same constant rate and the work can be shared equally.

The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.

Your turn

Question 1

workers can complete a job in hours. How long would workers take? Assume all workers work at the same constant rate and the work can be shared equally.

Check answer
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
Question 2

workers can complete a job in hours. How long would workers take? Assume all workers work at the same constant rate and the work can be shared equally.

Check answer
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
Question 3

workers can complete a job in hours. How long would workers take? Assume all workers work at the same constant rate and the work can be shared equally.

Check answer
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
Question 4

workers can complete a job in hours. How long would workers take? Assume all workers work at the same constant rate and the work can be shared equally.

Check answer
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
Question 5

workers can complete a job in hours. How long would workers take? Assume all workers work at the same constant rate and the work can be shared equally.

Check answer
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.
The number of workers multiplied by the time is constant.