Machine L takes 10 minutes to cut 190 pieces of lumbers. Machine M takes 14 minutes to cut 98 pieces of lumbers. Machine N takes 11 minutes to cut 154 pieces of lumber. 

1. Which is the faster combination, L and M or M and N? (Eg A, B) 
2. In 1 minute, how many more pieces of lumbers can be cut by the faster combination compared to the other combination?

(a)
Time taken by Machine L alone:
10 min → 190 pieces
1 min → 190 ÷ 10 = 19 pieces

Time taken by Machine M alone:
14 min → 98 pieces
1 min → 98 ÷ 14 = 7 pieces

Time taken by Machine N alone:
11 min → 98 pieces
1 min → 154 ÷ 11 = 14 pieces

Time taken by Machine L and Machine M together:
1 min → 19 + 7 = 26 pieces

Time taken by Machine M and Machine N together:
1 min → 7 + 14 = 21 pieces

Machine L and M are the faster combination.

(b)
Number of more pieces of lumbers that can be cut by the faster combination (Machine L and M) in 1 minute
= 26 - 21
= 5 

Answer(s): (a) L, M or M, L; (b) 5