ssc gd time and work questions

Jagdeep Singh
Published: 16 Dec, 2025

SSC GD Math Notes


The Basics of Work and Time (Efficiency)

What is Time and Work?

This topic, ssc gd time and work, is about how long it takes people or machines to finish a job.

  • Work: The total task you need to finish (like building a wall or eating a pizza).
  • Time: How many days, hours, or minutes it takes.
  • Efficiency: How fast someone works. A person with high efficiency finishes the work quickly.

The Main Rule: Work is always considered ‘1’ (or 100%) when it is finished.

Key Formula: Work Done in 1 Day=1Total Time Taken

If A takes 5 days to finish a job, A does 15 of the job every day. This is A’s daily efficiency. These ssc gd time and work questions often test this basic idea.

Solved Examples

Example 1: Finding Daily Work

Ravi can paint a room in 8 days. How much work does Ravi do in one day?

Solution:

  1. First, let’s understand what we need to find: We need Ravi’s daily work, which is his efficiency.
  2. Now, write down the formula: Daily Work =1Total Time
  3. Put the numbers in: Ravi takes 8 days. Daily Work=18
  4. Calculate it: Ravi finishes 18 of the room painting every day.
  5. So, the answer is: 18 of the work.

Example 2: Finding Total Time from Daily Work

If Sita finishes 112 of a task every day, how many days will she take to complete the whole task?

Solution:

  1. First, let’s understand what we need to find: We need the total time (T).
  2. Now, write down the formula: Total Time =1Daily Work
  3. Put the numbers in: Sita’s daily work is 112. Total Time=1112
  4. Calculate it: When you divide by a fraction, you flip it and multiply. Total Time=1×12=12 days
  5. So, the answer is: 12 days. This is a simple type of time and work ssc gd questions.

Example 3: Comparing Efficiency

A is twice as efficient as B. If B takes 30 days to finish a job, how many days will A take?

Solution:

  1. First, let’s understand what we need to find: We need A’s time. Efficiency and Time are opposite (inversely proportional). If you are faster (more efficient), you take less time.
  2. Find B’s time: B takes 30 days.
  3. Use the efficiency ratio: A is 2 times faster than B.
  4. Calculate A’s time: A will take half the time B takes. A’s Time=B’s Time2=302=15 days
  5. So, the answer is: 15 days.

Example 4: The LCM Method (Total Work)

Ramesh takes 10 days and Suresh takes 15 days to complete a job. Find the total work unit.

Solution:

  1. First, let’s understand what we need to find: We need a common number that both 10 and 15 can divide easily. This number is called the Total Work Unit (LCM).
  2. Find the LCM of 10 and 15:
    • Multiples of 10: 10, 20, 30, 40…
    • Multiples of 15: 15, 30, 45…
  3. The LCM is 30. We assume the total work is 30 units (e.g., making 30 toys).
  4. Calculate daily efficiency (units per day):
    • Ramesh’s efficiency: 3010=3 units/day.
    • Suresh’s efficiency: 3015=2 units/day.
  5. So, the answer is: The Total Work Unit is 30. This LCM method makes solving ssc gd time and work questions pdf much easier.

Combined Work (Working Together)

How People Work Together

When two or more people work together, we simply add their daily work (or efficiency).

  • If A does 110 work per day, and B does 115 work per day, their combined daily work is 110+115.
  • We usually use the LCM method (Total Work Units) because it avoids fractions and is faster for ssc gd time and work.

Formula for Combined Work (using LCM): Time Taken=Total Work UnitsTotal Daily Efficiency

These types of ssc gd time and work questions pdf in english are very common in the exam.

Solved Examples

Example 1: Two People Working Together

A can finish a task in 6 days and B can finish the same task in 12 days. If they work together, how many days will they take?

Solution:

  1. First, find the Total Work (LCM): LCM of 6 and 12 is 12. (Total Work = 12 units).
  2. Calculate Daily Efficiency:
    • A’s efficiency: 126=2 units/day.
    • B’s efficiency: 1212=1 unit/day.
  3. Calculate Combined Daily Efficiency: A + B =2+1=3 units/day.
  4. Find the Time Taken: Time=Total WorkCombined Efficiency=123=4 days
  5. So, the answer is: 4 days.

Example 2: Three People Working Together

P, Q, and R can finish a job in 10, 12, and 15 days, respectively. How long will they take if they all work together?

Solution:

  1. First, find the Total Work (LCM): LCM of 10, 12, and 15 is 60. (Total Work = 60 units).
  2. Calculate Daily Efficiency:
    • P: 6010=6 units/day.
    • Q: 6012=5 units/day.
    • R: 6015=4 units/day.
  3. Calculate Combined Daily Efficiency: P + Q + R =6+5+4=15 units/day.
  4. Find the Time Taken: Time=6015=4 days
  5. So, the answer is: 4 days. These ssc gd time and work questions require fast LCM calculation.

Example 3: One Person Leaves

A and B together can finish a job in 12 days. A alone can finish it in 20 days. How long will B alone take?

Solution:

  1. First, find the Total Work (LCM): LCM of 12 (A+B) and 20 (A) is 60. (Total Work = 60 units).
  2. Calculate Daily Efficiency:
    • (A + B)’s efficiency: 6012=5 units/day.
    • A’s efficiency: 6020=3 units/day.
  3. Find B’s Daily Efficiency: We know A + B = 5 units, and A = 3 units. B’s Efficiency=(A+B)A=53=2 units/day
  4. Find B’s Total Time: B’s Time=Total WorkB’s Efficiency=602=30 days
  5. So, the answer is: B takes 30 days.

Example 4: Working for a Few Days

Ram takes 10 days to complete a job. He works for 4 days and then leaves. How much work is left?

Solution:

  1. First, find Ram’s Daily Work: Ram takes 10 days, so his daily work is 110.
  2. Calculate Work Done in 4 Days: Work Done=Daily Work×Days Worked=110×4=410
  3. Simplify the Work Done: 410=25. Ram finished 25 of the job.
  4. Calculate Work Left: Total work is 1 (or 55). Work Left=125=5525=35
  5. So, the answer is: 35 of the work is left. These are key time and work ssc gd questions.

Finding the Time Taken (The Unitary Method)

Men, Days, and Work

Sometimes, ssc gd time and work problems involve changing the number of people (Men) or the hours they work.

  • More Men = Less Time. (Inverse relationship)
  • More Work = More Time. (Direct relationship)

We use the combined formula for these ssc gd time and work questions pdf:

M1×D1×H1W1=M2×D2×H2W2

Where:

  • M = Men (or workers)
  • D = Days
  • H = Hours per day
  • W = Work done (or units of work)

Solved Examples

Example 1: Men and Days

15 workers can build a road in 40 days. If 5 more workers join them, how many days will it take to build the same road?

Solution:

  1. First, identify the knowns (Group 1): M1=15, D1=40. W1 is the road (let W1=1).
  2. Identify the unknowns (Group 2): 5 more workers join, so M2=15+5=20. D2=?
  3. Write down the formula (since work is the same, we ignore W): M1×D1=M2×D2
  4. Put the numbers in: 15×40=20×D2
  5. Calculate D2: D2=15×4020=60020=30 days
  6. So, the answer is: 30 days.

Example 2: Men, Days, and Hours

8 men working 9 hours a day can finish a task in 20 days. How many days will 12 men working 6 hours a day take to finish the same task?

Solution:

  1. First, identify the knowns (Group 1): M1=8, H1=9, D1=20.
  2. Identify the unknowns (Group 2): M2=12, H2=6, D2=?
  3. Write down the formula: M1D1H1=M2D2H2
  4. Put the numbers in: 8×20×9=12×D2×6 1440=72×D2
  5. Calculate D2: D2=144072=20 days
  6. So, the answer is: 20 days.

Example 3: Men and Different Work

10 people can make 50 chairs in 5 days. How many chairs can 5 people make in 10 days?

Solution:

  1. First, identify the knowns (Group 1): M1=10, D1=5, W1=50.
  2. Identify the unknowns (Group 2): M2=5, D2=10, W2=?
  3. Write down the formula: M1D1W1=M2D2W2
  4. Put the numbers in: 10×550=5×10W2 5050=50W2
  5. Calculate W2: 1=50W2 W2=50
  6. So, the answer is: They can make 50 chairs. These are important ssc gd time and work questions pdf in english.

Example 4: Efficiency Change

A group of workers was hired to finish a project in 40 days. If 5 workers had not shown up, the work would have taken 50 days. How many workers were originally hired?

Solution:

  1. First, define variables: Let the original number of workers be M1=x. D1=40.
  2. Define the second group: 5 workers did not show up, so M2=x5. D2=50.
  3. Set up the equation: M1×D1=M2×D2 x×40=(x5)×50
  4. Solve for x: 40x=50x250 250=50x40x 250=10x
  5. Calculate x: x=25010=25
  6. So, the answer is: 25 workers were originally hired.

Pipes and Cisterns (Tanks and Taps)

The Concept of Taps

Pipes and Cisterns is just another way to ask ssc gd time and work questions.

  • Inlet Pipe (Filling): This is like a person doing positive work (adding water).
  • Outlet Pipe (Emptying/Leak): This is like a person doing negative work (taking water away).

We use the same LCM method, but we subtract the efficiency of the outlet pipes.

Key Idea: If a pipe fills a tank in T hours, its hourly work is 1T. If it empties, its hourly work is 1T.

Solved Examples

Example 1: Two Inlet Pipes

Pipe A can fill a tank in 10 hours, and Pipe B can fill it in 15 hours. If both pipes are opened together, how long will it take to fill the tank?

Solution:

  1. First, find the Total Capacity (LCM): LCM of 10 and 15 is 30. (Total Tank Capacity = 30 units).
  2. Calculate Hourly Efficiency (Flow Rate):
    • A’s rate (filling): 3010=+3 units/hour.
    • B’s rate (filling): 3015=+2 units/hour.
  3. Calculate Combined Rate: A + B =3+2=5 units/hour.
  4. Find the Time Taken: Time=Total CapacityCombined Rate=305=6 hours
  5. So, the answer is: 6 hours.

Example 2: Inlet and Outlet Pipe

Pipe P can fill a tank in 20 minutes. Pipe Q can empty the same tank in 30 minutes. If both are open, how long will it take to fill the tank?

Solution:

  1. First, find the Total Capacity (LCM): LCM of 20 and 30 is 60. (Total Capacity = 60 units).
  2. Calculate Hourly Efficiency (Flow Rate):
    • P’s rate (filling): 6020=+3 units/minute.
    • Q’s rate (emptying): 6030=2 units/minute. (It is negative because it removes water).
  3. Calculate Combined Rate: P + Q =32=1 unit/minute.
  4. Find the Time Taken: Time=601=60 minutes
  5. So, the answer is: 60 minutes (or 1 hour). These are typical time and work ssc gd questions.

Example 3: Three Pipes Working Together

Tap X fills a tank in 6 hours, Tap Y fills it in 8 hours, and Tap Z empties it in 4 hours. If all three are opened, how long will it take to fill the tank?

Solution:

  1. First, find the Total Capacity (LCM): LCM of 6, 8, and 4 is 24. (Total Capacity = 24 units).
  2. Calculate Hourly Efficiency:
    • X (Inlet): 246=+4 units/hour.
    • Y (Inlet): 248=+3 units/hour.
    • Z (Outlet): 244=6 units/hour.
  3. Calculate Combined Rate: X + Y + Z =4+36=1 unit/hour.
  4. Find the Time Taken: Time=241=24 hours
  5. So, the answer is: 24 hours.

Example 4: Filling Half the Tank

Pipe A fills a tank in 10 hours. After the tank is half full, Pipe B (which fills the tank in 5 hours) is also opened. How much total time is taken to fill the tank?

Solution:

  1. First, find the Total Capacity (LCM): LCM of 10 and 5 is 10. (Total Capacity = 10 units).
  2. Calculate Efficiency:
    • A’s rate: 1010=1 unit/hour.
    • B’s rate: 105=2 units/hour.
  3. Calculate Time for First Half: Half the tank is 5 units. Only Pipe A works. Time 1=5 units1 unit/hour=5 hours
  4. Calculate Time for Second Half: The remaining work is 5 units. Now A and B work together.
    • Combined Rate (A+B): 1+2=3 units/hour. Time 2=5 units3 units/hour=1.67 hours (approx)
  5. Calculate Total Time: Total Time=Time 1+Time 2=5+1.67=6.67 hours
  6. So, the answer is: 6.67 hours. Mastering these ssc gd time and work questions pdf will help you score high.