SOLUTION: If Sue can wash a car in 48 minutes and John can wash a car in 16 minutes, how many minutes will it take them to wash a car working together? I just need to know how to set this

Question 224526: If Sue can wash a car in 48 minutes and John can wash a car in 16 minutes, how many minutes will it take them to wash a car working together?
I just need to know how to set this problem up.
Answer by ptaylor(2198) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
OK
Let x=amount of time it takes them working together to wash a car
Then, together, they wash at the rate of 1/x car per min
Sue washes at the rate of 1/48 car per min
John washes at the rate of 1/16 car per min
So, together, they wash at the rate of 1/48 + 1/16 car per min
So our equation to solve is:
1/48 + 1/16 = 1/x Hint: multiply each term by 48x
I bet you can take it from here :)
Hope this helps---ptaylor
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