"work out" vs. "find out"

[Elga]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #102 "Phrasal verbs", question 4

You've borrowed such a great deal of money from me lately. I need to ......... exactly how much you owe me.

(a) make up
(b) put out
(c) work out
(d) clear up

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #102 "Phrasal verbs", answer 4

You've borrowed such a great deal of money from me lately. I need to work out exactly how much you owe me.

Correct answer: (c) work out
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why not find out?

Elga

[Pamela]

I don't see much difference but to my mind it's better to say "work out"when referring to figures,calculations.

[Alan]

Hi Elga,

Work out has the sense of calculate as in work out the cost of you holiday. Find out has the sense of investigate/discover as in find out some information about the hotel for your holiday.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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