SOLUTION: Machine A can place wrappers on a batch of canned goods in 4 fewer hours than machine B. Together, they can complete the job in 1.5 hr.How long would it take each machine working a

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Machine A can place wrappers on a batch of canned goods in 4 fewer hours than machine B. Together, they can complete the job in 1.5 hr.How long would it take each machine working a      Log On


   

Question 1162093: Machine A can place wrappers on a batch of canned goods in 4 fewer hours than machine B. Together, they can complete the job in 1.5 hr.How long would it take each machine working alone?
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Let represent the number of hours it takes Machine B to complete the entire job. Then is the number of hours it takes Machine A to do the entire job.

That means that Machine B can do of the job in 1 hour, and Machine A can do of the job in 1 hour. Consequently, working together they can do the sum of those two fractions of the job in one hour.

Since they can complete the job working together in 1.5 hours ( hours), then working together they can do of the job in one hour, hence:



Solve for and then calculate .

Hint: You will find that the equation reduces to a quadratic equation that has two roots. One of the roots will be less than 4 so you should discard that root since that would mean Machine A could do the job in a negative number of hours. Pick the larger root for


John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it