SOLUTION: Trent can deliver his newspapers in 20 minutes. It takes Lois 30 minutes to do the same route. How long would it take them to deliver the newspapers if they work together?

Click here to see ALL problems on Geometry Word Problems

Question 1144569: Trent can deliver his newspapers in 20 minutes. It takes Lois 30 minutes to do the same route. How long would it take them to deliver the newspapers if they work together?
Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, Edwin McCravy, Alan3354:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39625)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20060)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
>>Trent can deliver his newspapers in 20 minutes.<<

So Trent's delivery rate is 1 route per 20 minutes:

>>It takes Lois 30 minutes to do the same route.<<

So Lois's delivery rate is 1 route per 30 minutes: When they work together, their combined rate is the sum of their rates:

>>How long would it take them to deliver the newspapers if they work together?<<

Answer: 1 route in 12 minutes. Edwin

Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
20*30/(20+30) = 600/50
= 12
--------------
In the real world, when people work together there's a possibility of conflicts and it might take longer together than the time for either working alone.
I have experienced that.