SOLUTION: If you can cut the lawn in 2 hours, and your spouse can do it in 3 hours, how long would it take if you work together? What assumptions (if any) did you make to arrive at your so

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: If you can cut the lawn in 2 hours, and your spouse can do it in 3 hours, how long would it take if you work together? What assumptions (if any) did you make to arrive at your so      Log On


   

Question 155353: If you can cut the lawn in 2 hours, and your spouse can do it in 3 hours, how long would it take if you work together? What assumptions (if any) did you make to arrive at your solution?
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If you can cut the lawn in 2 hours, and your spouse can do it in 3 hours, how long would it take if you work together?
---------------
You DATA:
time = 2 hr/job ; rate = 1/2 job/hr
----------------------
Spouse DATA:
time = 3 hr/job ; rate = 1/3 job/hr
-----------------------
Together DATA:
time = x hr/job ; rate = 1/x job/hr
-----------------------
EQUATION:
rate + rate = together rate
1/2 + 1/3 = 1/x
5/6 = 1/x
x = 6/5 = 1 1/5 hr = 1 hr. 12 minutes
========================================
Cheers,
Stan H.