SOLUTION: I certianly appologize for the mistake of writing my word problem in capital letters it was made clear to me I was totally out of line ,I only intended the caps to help separate th

Algebra ->  Rate-of-work-word-problems -> SOLUTION: I certianly appologize for the mistake of writing my word problem in capital letters it was made clear to me I was totally out of line ,I only intended the caps to help separate th      Log On


   



Question 173471: I certianly appologize for the mistake of writing my word problem in capital letters it was made clear to me I was totally out of line ,I only intended the caps to help separate the problem from the question!!the word problem was Working alone, Jan could paint a certian room in 8 hours. Wade could paint the same room in 10 hours. How long would it take Jan and Wade working togeather to paint the room. I really need clarifacation on the equation used to get this answer, thanks
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I certianly appologize for the mistake of writing my word problem in capital letters it was made clear to me I was totally out of line ,I only intended the caps to help separate the problem from the question!!
-----------------------
I don't see what CAPS have to do with anything.
------------------------
the word problem was Working alone, Jan could paint a certian room in 8 hours. Wade could paint the same room in 10 hours. How long would it take Jan and Wade working togeather to paint the room. I really need clarifacation on the equation used to get this answer, thanks
-----------------
For this type of problem, you have to use the inverses.
Jan can paint 1/8 of a room in and hour, Wade can paint 1/10.
Now you can add them up.
Together, they do 1/8 + 1/10 = 5/40 + 4/40
= 9/40 of the room per hour, so it will take 40/9 hours.
-----------
Also, if there are 2 elements in the problem, you can use a shortcut:
The product over the sum --> 8*10/(8+10) = 80/18 = 40/9. It's much quicker when time is an issue, as when taking a test.