How Long Would It Take to Finish Washing the Dishes If the Dishwasher Washed 70 Fewer Dishes Per Hour?

Imagine a bustling restaurant kitchen, where the dishwasher is working tirelessly to clean a mountain of dishes. The dishwasher, in this scenario, is washing dishes at a rate of 280 dishes per hour for 3 hours. But what if the dishwasher was less efficient and washed 70 fewer dishes per hour? How long would it take to finish washing the dishes then? This question may seem simple, but it involves a basic understanding of rates and time, which are fundamental concepts in mathematics and physics. Let’s delve into this intriguing question and explore the answer.

Understanding the Initial Scenario

First, let’s understand the initial scenario. The dishwasher is washing dishes at a rate of 280 dishes per hour. This means that in one hour, the dishwasher can clean 280 dishes. Given that the dishwasher works for 3 hours, we can calculate the total number of dishes washed by multiplying the rate (280 dishes per hour) by the time (3 hours). This gives us a total of 840 dishes.

Calculating the New Rate

Now, let’s consider the new scenario where the dishwasher is less efficient and washes 70 fewer dishes per hour. This means the new rate is 280 – 70 = 210 dishes per hour. This is the rate at which the dishwasher will be washing dishes in the new scenario.

Determining the New Time

With the new rate, we now need to determine how long it would take to wash the same number of dishes (840 dishes). To do this, we divide the total number of dishes by the new rate. So, 840 dishes ÷ 210 dishes per hour = 4 hours. Therefore, it would take 4 hours to finish washing the dishes if the dishwasher washed 70 fewer dishes per hour.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if the dishwasher washed 70 fewer dishes per hour, it would take an additional hour to finish washing the same number of dishes. This simple example illustrates the inverse relationship between rate and time: if the rate decreases, the time required to complete the same task increases. This principle is not only applicable in the kitchen but also in various other aspects of life and work, including travel, project management, and manufacturing processes.

Further Considerations

While this calculation provides a straightforward answer, it’s important to note that in real-life scenarios, other factors could influence the time it takes to wash dishes. These could include the size and type of dishes, the efficiency of the dishwasher, and whether the dishwasher is working continuously without breaks. Therefore, while our calculation provides a theoretical answer, actual times may vary.