Answer:
Option B - 9 hours
Step-by-step explanation:
Given : Three machines operating independently, simultaneously, and at the same constant rate can fill a certain production order in 36 hours. If one additional machine were used under the same operating conditions.
To find : In how many fewer hours of simultaneous operation could the production order be filled?
Solution :
Let the numbers of hours taken including additional machine i.e. 4 machines be 'x' hours.
So, 3 machines take 36 hours
and 4 machines take x hours.
Then, [tex]x=\frac{3\times 36}{4}[/tex]
[tex]x=27[/tex]
i.e. 4 machines spend 27 hours to do work.
Number of fewer hours of simultaneous operation could the production order be filled is given by,
[tex]n=36-27=9[/tex] hours
Therefore, the work could be done in 9 hours less.
So, the correct answer is B.