If 6 spiders make 6 webs in 6 days, then one spider will make one web in how many days?

Appeared in: ESIC Nursing Officer 2016 (Shift -2)

Explanation

The problem describes a scenario of parallel work, where each of the 6 spiders works on its own web.
Since the group of 6 spiders completes 6 webs in 6 days, the time it takes for a single spider to complete its single web is the full 6 days.
The rate of work for one spider is constant: 1 web per 6 days.
Reducing the number of spiders to one also reduces the number of webs to one, but the time required for the individual task remains unchanged.

Option A: This is a common logical fallacy where one incorrectly assumes a direct 1:1:1 ratio for spiders, webs, and days. It fails to account for the fact that the time for an individual's work doesn't change just because there are fewer workers doing fewer tasks in parallel.
Option B: This is an incorrect calculation with no logical basis in the context of the problem.
Option D: This is an incorrect calculation, likely resulting from a misunderstanding of the work-rate relationship.

Visual 1: Infographic. An illustration showing 6 spiders, each on a separate web. A large clock in the background indicates 6 days have passed. This visually represents that the time for one spider's task is the same as the time for the group's parallel tasks.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Work-Rate Problems and Logical Reasoning as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests logical reasoning and analytical skills, which are fundamental for nurses.
Nurses use similar step-by-step logic for tasks like calculating medication dosages, managing IV drip rates, and prioritizing patient care under time constraints.
What if the question was 'If 6 spiders collaboratively build 1 web in 6 days, how long would it take 1 spider?' In that case, the total work is 6 spiders × 6 days = 36 'spider-days' per web. One spider would then take 36 days to complete the web alone.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the question as a work-rate or logic puzzle involving workers (spiders), work (webs), and time (days).
Analyze the initial statement: 6 spiders make 6 webs in 6 days.
Determine if the work is collaborative (all working on one task) or parallel (each working on their own task). Here, it's parallel.
Logically deduce that if a group of workers completes an equal number of individual tasks in a set time, that time is the duration for one worker to complete one task.
To confirm, apply the chain rule formula: (M₁ × D₁) / W₁ = (M₂ × D₂) / W₂.
Substitute the known values and solve for the unknown variable (D₂), which will confirm the logical deduction.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full ESIC Nursing Officer 2016 (Shift -2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.