SOLUTION: Can someone help? I am stuck on 2 word problems. Melanie can paint a certain barn by herself in X days. Her helper Melissa can paint the same barn by herself in 2X days. Write

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Can someone help? I am stuck on 2 word problems. Melanie can paint a certain barn by herself in X days. Her helper Melissa can paint the same barn by herself in 2X days. Write       Log On


   

Question 130029: Can someone help? I am stuck on 2 word problems.
Melanie can paint a certain barn by herself in X days. Her helper Melissa can paint the same barn by herself in 2X days. Write a rational expression for the fraction of the barn that they complete in one day by working together. Evaluate the expression for X=5.
Thanks I am lost..
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If Melanie can paint the barn in x days, then she can paint 1%2Fx of the barn in one day.
If Melssa can paint the barn in 2x days, then she can paint 1%2F2x of the barn in one day.
So, together, they can paint 1%2Fx+%2B+1%2F2x of the barn in one day.
1%2Fx%2B1%2F2x+=+3%2F2x
Working together, Malanie and Melissa can paint 3%2F2x of the barn in one day.
If x = 5, then 3%2F2x+=+3%2F2%285%29 = 2%2F10+=+1%2F5of the barn.