TMU Problem Solving 3

Question 1

Three workers can complete a job in 6 days. How long would it take 2 workers to finish the same job, assuming equal work rates?

Accepted Answer

9 days

Answer

Total work = 3 × 6 = 18 worker-days; with 2 workers, 18 ÷ 2 = 9 days.

Question 2

In a class of 30 students, 18 play soccer, 15 play basketball, and 8 play both. How many students play neither sport?

Accepted Answer

5

Answer

Soccer only + basketball only + both = 10 + 7 + 8 = 25, so 30 − 25 = 5 play neither.

Question 3

What is the primary advantage of breaking a complex problem into sub-problems?

Accepted Answer

It allows each smaller part to be solved independently, reducing cognitive load

Answer

Decomposition reduces complexity by making each sub-problem more manageable and solvable in isolation.

Question 4

A car's value depreciates by 20% each year. If the car is worth $25,000 today, what will it be worth in 2 years?

Accepted Answer

$16,000

Answer

After year 1: $25,000 × 0.8 = $20,000; after year 2: $20,000 × 0.8 = $16,000.

Question 5

A farmer has both chickens and cows. There are 20 heads and 56 legs total. How many cows are there?

Accepted Answer

8

Answer

If c = cows: 4c + 2(20−c) = 56 → 2c = 16 → c = 8.

(TMU) Toronto Metropolitan University Exam Practice Test