Question

select the correct answer.

the time it takes to clean up after an anniversary party varies inversely as the number of people cleaning. if 3 people work together to clean, it will take them 90 minutes. how long will it take if the number of people cleaning is increased to 5?

54 minutes
72 minutes
150 minutes
162 minutes

Explanation:

Set up the inverse variation equation

$$ t = \frac{k}{n} $$

Determine the constant of variation \(k\)

$$ k = t \cdot n = 90 \cdot 3 = 270 $$

Calculate the time for 5 people

$$ t = \frac{270}{5} = 54 $$

Answer:

• (A) 54 minutes (Correct answer)
• (B) 72 minutes
• (C) 150 minutes
• (D) 162 minutes