document.write( "Question 447072: A small heating unit takes 8 hours longer to melt a piece of iron than does a larger unit. Working together, the heating units can melt the iron in 3 hours. How long would it take each heating unit, working alone, to melt the iron? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #307824 by jorel1380(3719)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! 1/x+1/(x+8)=1/3 \n" ); document.write( "3x+24+3x=x2+8x \n" ); document.write( "x2+2x-24=0 \n" ); document.write( "(x+6)(x-4)=0 \n" ); document.write( "x=-6 or 4 \n" ); document.write( "Throwing out the negative answer, we get the larger unit needing 4 hours to melt the iron, and the smaller unit needing 12 hours.. \n" ); document.write( " |