Machine U takes 9 minutes to cut 99 pieces of lumbers. Machine V takes 19 minutes to cut 114 pieces of lumbers. Machine W takes 8 minutes to cut 104 pieces of lumber. 

1. Which is the faster combination, U and V or V and W? (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 U alone:
9 min → 99 pieces
1 min → 99 ÷ 9 = 11 pieces

Time taken by Machine V alone:
19 min → 114 pieces
1 min → 114 ÷ 19 = 6 pieces

Time taken by Machine W alone:
8 min → 114 pieces
1 min → 104 ÷ 8 = 13 pieces

Time taken by Machine U and Machine V together:
1 min → 11 + 6 = 17 pieces

Time taken by Machine V and Machine W together:
1 min → 6 + 13 = 19 pieces

Machine V and W are the faster combination.

(b)
Number of more pieces of lumbers that can be cut by the faster combination (Machine V and W) in 1 minute
= 19 - 17
= 2 

Answer(s): (a) V, W or W, V; (b) 2