SOLUTION: Julius can paint a house three times faster than Ruben. working together, they can paint a house in 4 days. how long would it take the faster painter if he works alone?

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Question 119290: Julius can paint a house three times faster than Ruben. working together, they can paint a house in 4 days. how long would it take the faster painter if he works alone?
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Given:
- Julius can paint a house three times faster than Ruben.
- they can paint a house in 4+days
-
Let Julius’ time be x, then Ruben’s time will be 3x

4%2Fx+%2B+4%2F3x+=1…..multiply both sides by 3x

4%2A3x%2Fx+%2B+4%2A3x%2F3x+=1%2A3x…..simplify

4%2A3%28cross%28x%29%29%2Fcross%28x%29+%2B+4%2Across%283x%29%2Fcross%283x%29+=1%2A3x…..

12+%2B+4+=+3x…..

16+=+3x…..divide both sides by 3

16%2F3+=+cross%283%29x%2Fcross%283%29…..

5%281%2F3%29+=+x…..or

x+=+5%281%2F3%29+………. the faster painter will do the job alone in 5%281%2F3%29 days