SOLUTION: Alan Cantrell can word process a research paper in 6 hours. With Steve Isaac's help, the paper can be processed in 4 hours. Find out how long it takes Steve to process the paper al

Question 107493This question is from textbook Intermediate Algebra
: Alan Cantrell can word process a research paper in 6 hours. With Steve Isaac's help, the paper can be processed in 4 hours. Find out how long it takes Steve to process the paper alone.

I know that I need to set this up in a graph and use the rate/time formula i just don't know how to separate the "variables" or whatever.
This question is from textbook Intermediate Algebra

Found 2 solutions by checkley71, scott8148:
Answer by checkley71(8403) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
6x/(6+x)=4 cross multiply
6x=4(6+x)
6x=24+4x
6x-4x=24
2x=24
x=24/2
x=12 hours for Steve to process the paper alone.
proof
6*12/(6+12)=4
72/18=4
4=4

Answer by scott8148(6628) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
each person does some fraction of the job ... the fraction is the combined time divided by the individual time

example: Bob can do a job in 4 hrs. when he does the job in 1 hr with help, Bob does 1/4 of the job

let x="Steve's time" ... (4/6)+(4/x)=1 ... 4x+24=6x
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