P works thrice as fast as Q, whereas P and Q together can work four times as fast as R. If P, Q and R together work on a job, in what ratio should they share the earnings?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) 3: 1: 1
Working together for the same time, each person's share of the earnings follows his rate of work. With P = 3Q and P + Q = 4R, we get 4Q = 4R, so R = Q and the ratio is 3 : 1 : 1.
- Let Q's rate be 1 unit a day; then P's rate = 3.
- P + Q = 4 = 4 × R's rate, so R's rate = 1.
- Working for the same time, their shares follow their rates: P : Q : R = 3 : 1 : 1.
Remember · When people work together for the same time, split the earnings in the ratio of their work rates.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2017, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·