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Question 35804: I am having so much trouble with this problem, and I need help. I have tried and tried, but I am not having any luck! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Solve, and please show work so I may learn how to do these types of problems.
If Brenda can clean the house in 2 hours and Kenny can clean the house in 3.5 hours, how long will it take them to clean the house if they work together?

Found 2 solutions by checkley71, stanbon:
Answer by checkley71(8403) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
THE SOLUTION TO THESE TYPE OF PEOBLEMS IS THE PRODUCT OF THE TWO TIMES DIVIDED BY THE SOME OF THE TWO TIMES OR (3.5*2)/(3.5+2) OR 7/5.5 OR 1.27 HOURS

Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If Brenda can clean the house in 2 hours and Kenny can clean the house in 3.5 hours, how long will it take them to clean the house if they work together?
Brenda Data:
time = 2 hrs; rate= (1/2)job/hr.
Kenny Data:
time = (7/2) hrs; rate = (2/7)job/hr.
Together Data
time = x hrs; rate = (1/x)job/hr.
EQUATION:
rate + rate = rate
1/2 + 2/7 = 1/x
Multiply both sides by 14x to get:
7x + 4x = 14
11x = 14
x= 14/11 = 1.273 hrs = 1 hr 17 minutes
Cheers,
Stan H.