Daily Math Puzzle: 2026-08-29

9 hours — This is a rates and proportions problem. First, let's determine the amount of 'mechanic-hours' required to check one ride car. In the initial scenario: - 3 mechanics work for 9 hours, which totals 3 mechanics * 9 hours = 27 'mechanic-hours' of work. - During these 27 mechanic-hours, 6 ride cars are checked. - Therefore, to check one car requires 27 mechanic-hours / 6 cars = 4.5 'mechanic-hours' per car. This represents the constant individual work rate. Now, for the second scenario: - The larger team needs to check 8 ride cars. - The total 'mechanic-hours' required for 8 cars is 8 cars * 4.5 mechanic-hours/car = 36 'mechanic-hours'. - The new team consists of 4 mechanics. - To find the time it will take this team, we divide the total required mechanic-hours by the number of mechanics: Time = 36 mechanic-hours / 4 mechanics = 9 hours. Despite having more mechanics and more cars, the proportional increase in cars (from 6 to 8) is exactly matched by the proportional increase in total work capacity (from 3 mechanics for 9 hours to 4 mechanics for the same duration), resulting in the same completion time.