document.write( "Question 351037: A roofer and his assistant working together can finish a roofing job in 4 hours. The roofer working alone could finish the job in 6 hours less than the assistant working alone. How long would it take the assistant working alone? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #250919 by edjones(8007)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Let x=roofer's time and x+6 the assistants time to do the job. \n" ); document.write( "In an hr roofer can do 1/x of the job and the asst. 1/(x+6) of the job. \n" ); document.write( "1/x + 1/x+6 = 1/4 \n" ); document.write( "4(x+6)+4x=x(x+6) multiply each side by 4x(x+6) \n" ); document.write( "4x+24+4x=x^2+6x \n" ); document.write( "x^2-2x-24=0 \n" ); document.write( "(x-6)(x+4)=0 \n" ); document.write( "x=6 hrs \n" ); document.write( "x+6=12 hrs the assistant working alone. \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Ed \n" ); document.write( " |