A project can be completed by several machines within the specified time. If two machines are added, it will only take seven eighths of the specified time to complete. If two machines are reduced, it will be delayed by two-thirds of an hour. How many hours does it take to complete the project by one machine?

A project can be completed by several machines within the specified time. If two machines are added, it will only take seven eighths of the specified time to complete. If two machines are reduced, it will be delayed by two-thirds of an hour. How many hours does it take to complete the project by one machine?

How to solve the problem:
1. If you add two machines, you only need seven eighths of the specified time to finish it. Then, the two machines added also work in the specified 7 / 8 time, a total of 7 / 8 × 2 = 14 / 8 time. The other machines are reduced by 1-7 / 8 = 1 / 8
7 / 8 × 2 △ (1-7 / 8) = 14 sets (number of original machines)
2. If we reduce two machines, we have to delay the completion by two-thirds of an hour
3. 8 △ 2 = 4 hours (original working time of each set)
4. One machine dry: 14 × 4 = 56 hours