SOLUTION: Tom and Matt, working together, can paint the deck in 9 hours. Working alone, Matt takes three times as long as Tom. How long does it take Tom to paint the deck alone?

Question 913254: Tom and Matt, working together, can paint the deck in 9 hours. Working alone, Matt takes three times as long as Tom. How long does it take Tom to paint the deck alone?
Answer by richwmiller(17219) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1/a+1/b=1/x
a=b*3
1/b*3+1/b=1/9
1/b*3+3/3*b=1/9
4/b*3=1/9
3*b=36
b=12
a=12*3
a=36 b=12
check
1/a+1/b=1/x
1/36+1/12=1/9
1/36+3/36=4/36
4/36=4/36
x=9 hours working together
a=36 hours working alone
b=12 hours working alone
ok
codewtr

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