The Truth About Work Rates: GRE / GMAT (with official example!)

No formulas, no tables, no complex methods. Here is my way to tackle work rate questions on the GRE and GMAT. We will test this method on an official work rate question.

I am here to bring you good news. If you bear in mind 2 core truths, work rate isn’t that bad! In fact, it can be very fun!

First truth: When combining work rates you can’t add the ‘time’ we take, but you can add the ‘rate’ we go at.

Second Truth: Rates and Times are reciprocals of each other

This is a Numeric Entry question.

1. Working alone at its constant rate, machine A produces k liters of a chemical in 10 minutes. Working alone at its constant rate, machine B produces k liters of the chemical in 15 minutes. How many minutes does it take machines A and B, working simultaneously at their respective constant rates, to produce k liters of the chemical?

______ minutes

Extreme Question

Working alone at her constant rate, Danya takes 2 hours to paint 1/2 a wall. Working alone at her constant rate, Aurelie takes 3 hours to paint 2 walls of the same size. If Danya starts painting a wall on her own for 3 hours, and is then joined by Aurelie, for how many hours will Aurelie and Danya now have to work together to finish 3 walls? Write your answer as a fraction.

GRE work rates and GMAT work rates will be tested in a very similar way, so I have lumped them together.

[abadi]

I binge watched all your quant videos. You are an outstanding teacher.

[theesunnlightt]

You have no idea how much your videos are helpful to those who are struggling to grasp concepts and then working up their abilities to solve tough questions. Please do keep posting new videos. Thank you!

[yankeegirl]

Oh my god. 3 months of studying and I just now finally understand this!!

[morganskaggs]

I'm such an audio learner. Reading explanations does nothing in comparison to having someone explain it to me verbally. So, thank you thank you thank you for making the GRE less stressful for me!!

[Shubham]

very well explained. I looked everywhere and this is the clearest explanation I have found. Thank you so much!

[ebayo]

I find it easy to solve exercises in Manhattan after going through every video on your channel. This has been my method, my exams is in few weeks...I will be back here to testify...Thank you Phillip

[gabriellebibus]

Rate questions have been giving me the most trouble ever since I started studying 6 months ago, but you just made them SO much easier! I wish I'd found this video earlier.

[nathanielellis]

You deserve much more subscribers. Thank you

[gabrielcvillalva]

Freaking wizard! I'm so grateful for having stepped into your videos, lad!

[grodh]

I whole heartedly agree this is the best and clearest method - Congratulations sir, you made good on your promise!!!

[wordsofhope]

Thank you so much... Your videos really helped me in my Quant, in my GrE first attempt I had 150 but last year I wrote again and I had 160..
You are a blessing

[tanviribnali]

You are a GREAT TEACHER. I wish I had tried your videos earlier. Still I feel so lucky to found you 1 month before my test. Your quant methods are most elegantly simple and incredibly efficient.
PERIOD.

[prathamgenius]

An easier approach to solve Easy to Hard level Work Rate Thanks for this Video ❤️❤️

[gowrirao]

Absolutely incredible! Thank you for simplifying this seemingly incomprehensible topic

[onlyshorts]

I only wish if Evey teacher could explain like you.... Thankyou Philip 👍

[nabiyabano]

Words won't suffice to explain how helpful this was!
God bless you man

[PS]

Hi Philip,
This is the first video which I watched and couldn't stop then!
This method helped me so much.
I have covered all your Quant videos! For each chapter I started solving from Manhattan I used to watch your video.

We just can't thank you enough! You don't know what impact you are creating for students who ain't good in Maths & I am one of them!
Best Tutor one could ever ask for. Thank you again! 🙏

[shubhrahalderjune]

understood the concept at the age of 29!!! 10000 Likes for you dear!!

[nanabaffour]

Great
I'm learning a lot from you

In fact you're my super Maths teacher. God bless you.

[Ansh_]

Like the new format of videos more, have everything on the screen as well, even if u r busy solving, you could look back at the screen to tally steps! You are an amazing teacher 🙌🏻