SOLUTION: An experienced accountant can prepare a tax return in 8 hours. A novice accountant can do the job in 23 hours. How long will it take them to do the job together?

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Question 25162: An experienced accountant can prepare a tax return in 8 hours. A novice accountant can do the job in 23 hours. How long will it take them to do the job together?
Answer by rapaljer(4551) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = time it will take them together to do the job.
1/8 = amount of the job the experienced accountant can do in 1 hour.
1/23 = amount of the job the novice can do in 1 hour.
1/x = amount of the job they can do together.

1%2F8+%2B1%2F23=+1%2Fx

Multiply both sides by the LCD which is 23%2A8%2Ax
1%2F8+%2B1%2F23=+1%2Fx
23%2A8%2Ax+%2A%281%2F8%29+%2B+23%2A8%2Ax%2A%281%2F23%29+=+23%2A8%2Ax%2A%281%2Fx%29
23x+%2B+8x+=+23%2A8
31x+=+184
x+=+184%2F31=+5.935 approximately!

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