document.write( "Question 366864: Dal and Kim can assemble a swing set in 1 and 1/2 hours. Working alone it takes Kim 4 hours longer than Dal to assemble the swing set. How long would it take Dal, working alone, to assemble the swing set? I have tried everything I could to solve this one and haven't had any luck. I would appreciate anyone's help! Thank you for your time! \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #261528 by ptaylor(2198)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x=amount of time it takes Dal to assemble the swing set, working alone
\n" ); document.write( "Then Dal works at the rate of 1/x swing set per hour
\n" ); document.write( "We are told that it takes Kim 4 hours longer than Dal, so it must take Kim x+4 hours to assemble the set
\n" ); document.write( "Then Kim works at the rate of 1/(x+4) swing set per hour
\n" ); document.write( "We are also told that Dal and Kim work at the rate of 1/(1.5) swing set per hour
\n" ); document.write( "Then our equation to solve is:
\n" ); document.write( "1/x + 1/(x+4)=1/(1.5) Multiply each term by 1.5(x)(x+4)
\n" ); document.write( "1.5(x+4)+1.5x=x(x+4) get rid of parens
\n" ); document.write( "1.5x+6+1.5x=x^2+4x simplify
\n" ); document.write( "x^2+x-6=0-----quadratic in standard form and it can be factored:
\n" ); document.write( "(x+3)(x-2)=0
\n" ); document.write( "x=2 hrs-------ANS--Time it takes Dal working alone
\n" ); document.write( "x=-3 NO! time in this prob is positive\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "CK
\n" ); document.write( "In 1.5 hours, Kim completes (1/6)(1.5)=(1.5)/6 of the swing set
\n" ); document.write( "In 1.5 hours, Dal completes (1/2)(1.5)=(1.5)/2 of the swing set
\n" ); document.write( "(1.5)/6+(4.5)/6=6/6=1 (swing set, that is)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps---ptaylor\r
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