document.write( "Question 200817: It takes Steve 3 hrs longer to paint a floor than it takes Paul. When working together, it takes them 2 hours. How long would each take to do the job alone? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #151057 by nerdybill(7384)\"\" \"About 
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It takes Steve 3 hrs longer to paint a floor than it takes Paul. When working together, it takes them 2 hours. How long would each take to do the job alone?
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\n" ); document.write( "Let p = time it takes for Paul to paint the floor alone
\n" ); document.write( "then
\n" ); document.write( "p+3 = time it takes for Steve to paint the floor alone
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\n" ); document.write( "2(1/p + 1/(p+3)) = 1
\n" ); document.write( "2/p + 2/(p+3) = 1
\n" ); document.write( "2(p+3) + 2p = p(p+3)
\n" ); document.write( "2p+ 6 + 2p = p^2+3p
\n" ); document.write( "8p+ 6 = p^2+3p
\n" ); document.write( "6 = p^2-5p
\n" ); document.write( "0 = p^2-5p-6
\n" ); document.write( "0 = (p-6)(p+1)
\n" ); document.write( "p = {6, -1}
\n" ); document.write( "We throw out the negative solution leaving us with:
\n" ); document.write( "p = 6 hours (time it takes Paul)
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\n" ); document.write( "Steve:
\n" ); document.write( "p+3 = 6+3 = 9 hours (time it takes Steve)\r
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