document.write( "Question 950992: Benny and Melanie were able to clean the basement in 4 hours together. It takes Melanie 10 hours to finish this job alone. Without help, how long would it take Benny to finish this job? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #580717 by josmiceli(19441) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Melanie's rate:
\n" ); document.write( "( 1 basement cleaned ) / ( 10 hrs )
\n" ); document.write( "Let Benny's rate =
\n" ); document.write( "( 1 basement cleaned ) / ( t hrs )
\n" ); document.write( "-----------------------------
\n" ); document.write( "Add their rates of working to get
\n" ); document.write( "their rate working together
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+1%2F10+%2B+1%2Ft+=+1%2F4+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply both sides by $\"+20t+\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+2t+%2B+20+=+5t+\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+3t+=+20+\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+t+=+6.667+\"$ hrs
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+.667%2A60+=+40+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "------------------
\n" ); document.write( "Working alone, Benny takes 6 hrs 40 min
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

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