Question: A machine at the soda factory can usually fill a barrel of soda in 3 minutes. However this morning a leak went unnoticed and it took 5 minutes to fill one barrel. If the leak remains undetected, how much longer will it take to fill 12 barrels of soda than on a normal day when the machine works fine?
Answer with step-by-step thinking: On a regular day it would take 3 * 12 = 36 minutes. With the leak it will take 5 * 12 = 60 minutes. It will take 60 - 36 = 24 more minutes if the leak goes undetected.
So the answer is 24.


Question: A group of science students went on a field trip. They took 9 vans and 10 buses. There were 8 people in each van and 27 people on each bus. How many people went on the field trip?
Answer with step-by-step thinking: The vans held 9 vans * 8 people = 72 people. The buses held 10 buses * 27 people = 270 people. The total number of people on the field trip is 72 + 270 = 342 people.
So the answer is 342.


Question: John decides to install a ramp in his house. He needs to get permits which cost $250. After that, he hires a contractor which costs $150 an hour and the guy works for 3 days at 5 hours per day. He also pays an inspector 80% less to make sure it is OK. How much was the total cost?
Answer with step-by-step thinking:
The contractor works for 3 * 5 = 15 hours. That means he charged 150 * 15 = $2250. The inspector charged 2250 * .8 = $1800 less. So the inspector charged 2250 - 1800 = $450. So the total amount charged was 250 + 450 + 2250 = $2950.
So the answer is 2950.