SOLUTION: I'm not sure how to set this up to solve it: Pam and Shirley, working together, can paint the deck in 3 hours. Working alone, Shirley takes three times as long as Pam. How long

Question 291985: I'm not sure how to set this up to solve it:
Pam and Shirley, working together, can paint the deck in 3 hours. Working alone, Shirley takes three times as long as Pam. How long does it take Pam to paint the deck alone.
Thanks in advance.
Found 2 solutions by nyc_function, richwmiller:
Answer by nyc_function(2741) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = how long it takes Pam to paint the deck alone
Let Pam = 1/3
Let Shirley = 1/3
Together = 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/3
Shirley alone = 3x
1/x + 1/3x = 2/3
Can you find x now?

Answer by richwmiller(17219) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
3/s+3/p=1
s=3p
s=12 p=4
pam can do it in 4 hours.
so shirley cuts off one hour of time.
check
3/12+3/4=1
1/4+3/4=1
ok
that is no surprise since pam is a fast worker
3x+1x=1
4x=1
x=1/4
3x=3/4

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