document.write( "Question 123221: Bob the bricklayer can complete a stone wall in 8 hours. Butch the bricklayer can finish the wall in 5 hours. If the two work together on the wall, how long will it take them to complete it? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #90408 by josmiceli(19441) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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You want to add their rates of working to get their
\n" ); document.write( "combined rate. In words:
\n" ); document.write( "(1 wall / 8 hours) + (1 wall / 5 hours) = 1 wall / x hours
\n" ); document.write( " $\"1%2F8+%2B+1%2F5+=+1%2Fx\"$
\n" ); document.write( "multiply both sides by $\"40\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"5+%2B+8+=+40%2Fx\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"13+=+40%2Fx\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x+=+40%2F13\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x+=+3.076\"$ hrs
\n" ); document.write( " $\".077\"$ hrs = $\".077%2A60+=+4.62\"$ minutes
\n" ); document.write( "So, working together, they can finish in about 3 hrs 4.6 minutes \n" ); document.write( "

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