document.write( "Question 381055: It takes Sal 5 hours to paint a house. It takes Pal 3 hours to paint the same house. How long will it take to paint the house if both of them work together? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #270367 by ptaylor(2198)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! The fast way is 5*3/(5+3)=15/8=1 7/8 hour but here is another way:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Let x=amount of time it takes both working together to paint the house \n" ); document.write( "Then working together, they paint at the rate of 1/x house per hour \n" ); document.write( "Sal works at the rate of 1/5 house per hour \n" ); document.write( "Pal works at the rate of 1/3 house per hour \n" ); document.write( "So, together they work at the rate of 1/5 + 1/3 house per hour\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now our equation to solve is: \n" ); document.write( "1/5 + 1/3 = 1/x multiply each term by 15x \n" ); document.write( "3x+5x=15 \n" ); document.write( "8x=15 \n" ); document.write( "x=15/8 hr \n" ); document.write( "CK \n" ); document.write( "In 15/8 hour, Sal paints (1/5)(15/8)=3/8 of the house \n" ); document.write( "In 15/8 hour, Pal paints (1/3)(15/8)=5/8 of the house \n" ); document.write( "3/8 + 5/8 =1 (house that is) \n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps ---ptaylor \n" ); document.write( " |