How long will it take 4 people to decorate a house

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  • Thread starter gazparkin
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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of "people-days" and how it relates to completing a job with a certain number of people. It is an inverse proportion, meaning the more people there are, the less time it will take to complete the job. In the given scenario, it would take 15 days for 4 people to decorate a house that takes 10 people 6 days to decorate. This calculation assumes that each person works at the same rate.
  • #1
gazparkin
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There may be a simple way of answering this but I'm stumped! it takes 10 people 6 days to decorate a house. how long will it take 4 people?

Any help appreciated
 
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  • #2
Ever heard the term "man-hours" to complete a job? This is very similar in units, except it's "people-days" ...

1 house decorated by 10 people in 6 days means it takes 60 people-days (same as 60 days for 1 person to finish decorating the house)

(60 people-days to finish a house)/(4 people working) = 15 days to finish
 
  • #3
skeeter said:
Ever heard the term "man-hours" to complete a job? This is very similar in units, except it's "people-days" ...

1 house decorated by 10 people in 6 days means it takes 60 people-days (same as 60 days for 1 person to finish decorating the house)

(60 people-days to finish a house)/(4 people working) = 15 days to finish

Thanks for this Skeeter. So the calculation is people X days (in the original calculation) then divide by however number of people are in the question?
 
  • #4
The more people you have the less time it will take. This is an "inverse" proportion. You have 4/10= 2/5 as many people so it will take 10/4= 5/2 as long.

(Also, this is assuming that each person works at the same rate no matter how many people there are. If "decorating" involved lifting some object so heavy it takes 5 people to lift it, 4 could never finish!)
 

Related to How long will it take 4 people to decorate a house

1. How long will it take 4 people to decorate a house?

The time it takes for 4 people to decorate a house depends on several factors such as the size of the house, the complexity of the decorations, and the experience and efficiency of the decorators. On average, it can take anywhere from 1-3 days for a team of 4 people to decorate a standard-sized house.

2. What factors affect the time it takes to decorate a house?

As mentioned before, the size and complexity of the house are important factors in determining the time it takes to decorate. Other factors that can affect the time include the availability of materials, the number of rooms to be decorated, and any specific requests or customizations from the homeowner.

3. Can the time it takes to decorate a house vary?

Yes, the time it takes to decorate a house can vary depending on the specific circumstances. For example, if there are delays in obtaining materials or unexpected issues arise during the decorating process, it can extend the time it takes to complete the project.

4. Is it better to have more people decorating a house to finish faster?

Having more people decorating a house does not necessarily mean the project will be completed faster. In fact, too many people working on a project can lead to confusion and inefficiency. It is important to have a balanced team with the right number of people for the size and complexity of the project.

5. Can the time it takes to decorate a house be shortened?

In some cases, the time it takes to decorate a house can be shortened by increasing the number of people working on the project or by using more efficient techniques. However, it is important to prioritize quality over speed to ensure the best results. Rushing through the decorating process can lead to mistakes and a less satisfactory outcome.

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