If 3 workers can complete a job in 8 hours, how many hours will it take 4 workers to complete the same job? (Assume all workers work at the same rate.)

This is an inverse proportion problem — more workers means less time, not more. Total work = workers × time = 3 × 8 = 24 worker-hours. With 4 workers: time = 24/4 = 6 hours. The product 'workers × time' stays constant; more workers reduces time proportionally. Direct proportion (more of one means more of the other): cost vs quantity, distance vs time at constant speed. Inverse proportion (more of one means less of the other): workers vs time, speed vs time over fixed distance, pipes filling a tank, machines producing widgets. Distinguishing the two types is essential. Setting up: if workers and time are inversely proportional, then workers₁ × time₁ = workers₂ × time₂. So 3 × 8 = 4 × t; t = 6 hours. Common ASVAB version: 'If 5 pumps can fill a tank in 12 hours, how long for 4 pumps?' Inverse: 5×12 = 4×t; t = 15 hours (fewer pumps takes longer).