A can complete a piece of work in 36 days, B in 54 days and C in 72 days. All the three began the work together but A left 8 days before the completion of the work and B 12 days before the completion of work. Only C worked up to the end. In how many days was the work completed?

Question: A can complete a piece of work in 36 days, B in 54 days and C in 72 days. All the three began the work together but A left 8 days before the completion of the work and B 12 days before the completion of work. Only C worked up to the end. In how many days was the work completed?

Solution:
Let the work be completed in y days. C works for y days
Therefore, A works for (y - 8) days
B works for (y - 12) days.

According to the question,
{(y-8)/36} + {(y - 12)/54} + (y/72) = 1
⇒ 6(y - 8) + 4 (y - 12) + 3y = 216
⇒ 6y - 48 + 4y - 48 + 3y = 216
⇒ 13y = 216 + 96 = 312
⇒ y = 312/13
∴ y = 24