GMAT Focus EditionData InsightsMedium
A production manager is reviewing the efficiency of two manufacturing lines, Line X and Line Y. Line X produced 5,000 units in 40 hours, consuming 200 units of raw material. Line Y produced 7,500 units in 60 hours, consuming 300 units of raw material. Which line has a higher production rate per hour?
- ALine Y
- BBoth lines have the same production rate per hour
- CCannot be determined without knowing the defect rate
- DLine X
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Both lines have the same production rate per hour
Production rate per hour is calculated as (Units Produced / Hours Operated). For Line X: 5,000 units / 40 hours = 125 units/hour. For Line Y: 7,500 units / 60 hours = 125 units/hour. Both lines have the same production rate per hour.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect. Line Y's rate is 125 units/hour, which is not higher than Line X's.
- C. Incorrect. The production rate per hour can be determined directly from the units produced and hours operated.
- D. Incorrect. Line X's rate is 125 units/hour, which is not higher than Line Y's.
Production Rate Per Hour
Production rate per hour measures the number of output units produced by a manufacturing process or line within a single hour of operation. It is a key efficiency metric.
- Calculated as Total Units Produced / Total Hours Operated.
- Indicates the speed and capacity of a production line.
- Higher values generally indicate greater efficiency.
Memory trick: Units out, hours in, that's how the rate begins!