document.write( "Question 995321: It takes a more experienced person 1 hour less to complete a task than it does a less experienced person. If they work together, they can complete the task in 1.2 hours. How long does it take each person to complete the task working alone? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #614178 by ptaylor(2198)\"\" \"About 
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Let x=time it takes less experienced person
\n" ); document.write( "Then this person works at the rate of 1/x of the task per hour
\n" ); document.write( "It takes the more experienced person (x-1) hours to complete the task
\n" ); document.write( "Then this person works at the rate of 1/(x-1) of the task per hour
\n" ); document.write( "Together, it takes 1.2 hours to complete the task
\n" ); document.write( "So together they work at the rate of 1/(1.2) of the task per hour
\n" ); document.write( "We also know that together they work at the rate of 1/x + 1/(x-1) of the task per hour
\n" ); document.write( "So our equation to solve is:
\n" ); document.write( "1/x + 1/(x-1)=1/(1.2) Multiply each term by (1.2)x(x-1)
\n" ); document.write( "This reduces to:
\n" ); document.write( "x^2-3.4x+1.2=0 quadratic in standard form and it can be factored
\n" ); document.write( "(x-3)(x-0.4)=0
\n" ); document.write( "x=3 and
\n" ); document.write( "x=0.4---an hour less than this is negative hours
\n" ); document.write( "ANS:Less experienced person takes 3 hrs
\n" ); document.write( "more experienced person takes 2 hrs
\n" ); document.write( "CK
\n" ); document.write( "1/3+1/2=1/(1.2)=10/12
\n" ); document.write( "4/12 + 6/12= 10/12
\n" ); document.write( "10/12=10/12\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps---ptaylor\r
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