SOLUTION: A and B take 8 hours to paint a house. If A did the job by himself it would take 12 hours. How long would it take B to paint the house on his own? I don't know where to start wi

Question 611033: A and B take 8 hours to paint a house. If A did the job by himself it would take 12 hours. How long would it take B to paint the house on his own?
I don't know where to start with this one as it must be shown as a linear equation.
Thank you for your help!
Answer by nerdybill(7384) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A and B take 8 hours to paint a house. If A did the job by himself it would take 12 hours. How long would it take B to paint the house on his own?
.
Let x = time (hours) for B on his own
then
8(1/12 + 1/x) = 1
multiplying both sides by 12x:
8(x + 12) = 12x
8x + 96 = 12x
96 = 4x
28 hours = x

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