SOLUTION: Jacob can complete a plant installation in 5 hours using a planting tool. Aiden can complete the same plant installation in 20 hours using conventional tools. How long would it ta

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Question 668250: Jacob can complete a plant installation in 5 hours using a planting tool. Aiden can complete the same plant installation in 20 hours using conventional tools. How long would it take the two men together to complete the plant installation if they are working together, each working with his tools?
Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, stanbon:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Add their rates of working
Jacob's rate is ( 1 installation ) / ( 5 hrs )
Aiden's rate is ( 1 installation ) / ( 20 hrs )
Let = the rate working together

Multiply both sides bt

It takes the 2 men 4 hrs working together

Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Jacob can complete a plant installation in 5 hours using a planting tool. Aiden can complete the same plant installation in 20 hours using conventional tools. How long would it take the two men together to complete the plant installation if they are working together, each working with his tools?
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Jacob's rate: 1/5 job/hr
Alden's rate: 1/20 job/hr
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Together rate: 1/x job/hr
Equation:
rate + rate = together rate
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1/5 + 1/20 = 1/x
4x + x = 20
5x = 20
x = 4 hrs (time for them to do the job together)
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Cheers,
Stan H.