document.write( "Question 505051: Suppose the one worker can shovel snow from a sidewalk in 50 minutes and another worker can shovel it in 30 minutes. How long will it take if they work together? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #339765 by oberobic(2304) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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These sorts of problems are based on multiple resources working together to complete 1 whole job.
\n" ); document.write( "So each resource contributes a fraction of the work.
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\n" ); document.write( "One man who can do the whole job in 50 minutes.
\n" ); document.write( "So, he does 1/50 of the job per min.
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\n" ); document.write( "Another man who can do the whole job in 30 minutes.
\n" ); document.write( "So, he does 1/30 of the job per min.
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\n" ); document.write( "x = number of minutes to do the whole job working together
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\n" ); document.write( "(1/50+1/30)*x = 1
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\n" ); document.write( "((30+50)/1500)*x = 1
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\n" ); document.write( "80x / 1500 = 1
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\n" ); document.write( "80x = 1500
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\n" ); document.write( "x = 75/4
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\n" ); document.write( "x = 18 3/4 minutes
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\n" ); document.write( "Done. \n" ); document.write( "

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