Creative Writing: Lucy and Ethel Making Chocolates
What is the scenario described in the data?
Lucy and Ethel are making chocolates on a production line. Lucy's production line moves at a rate of 10 chocolates per minute, while Ethel's moves at a rate of 13 chocolates per minute. Because Ethel arrives late to work, Lucy has produced 42 chocolates before Ethel ever begins.
When will Lucy and Ethel have produced the same amount of chocolates?
Answer:
Lucy and Ethel will have produced the same amount of chocolates after 14 minutes.
The scenario of Lucy and Ethel making chocolates on a production line presents an interesting conundrum. Lucy's rate of production is 10 chocolates per minute, whereas Ethel produces 13 chocolates per minute. However, due to Ethel's delay in arriving, Lucy gains a head start by producing 42 chocolates before Ethel even starts working.
To determine when Lucy and Ethel will have produced the same amount of chocolates, we can use a simple algebraic equation based on their respective rates of production. Let's represent the time taken in minutes as 't'.
Given that Lucy starts with a head start of 42 chocolates, the equation to set up is 10t + 42 = 13t. By solving this equation, we find that t = 14. Therefore, after 14 minutes, Ethel will catch up to Lucy's total production.
This scenario illustrates the importance of understanding rates of production and how timing can influence the outcome in a production setting. Despite the initial lead that Lucy has, Ethel's faster production rate allows her to catch up and equalize the total number of chocolates produced after 14 minutes.