SOLUTION: There are two machines that produce aluminum cans. The newer machine can produce7200 cans in 200 minutes. It takes the older machine 300 minutes to produce that many cans. If the

Algebra ->  Systems-of-equations -> SOLUTION: There are two machines that produce aluminum cans. The newer machine can produce7200 cans in 200 minutes. It takes the older machine 300 minutes to produce that many cans. If the      Log On


   



Question 221213: There are two machines that produce aluminum cans. The newer machine can produce7200 cans in 200 minutes. It takes the older machine 300 minutes to produce that many cans. If the two machines work together, how long will it take them to produce 7200 cans?

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Add the rates of producing cans for each machine
to get the rate for both machines working together
Let the time for both machines woking together
to make 7200 cans = x min
given:
Rate of newer machine = 7200%2F200 cans/min
Rate of older machine = 7200%2F300 cans/min
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I can write the equation as
7200%2F200+%2B+7200%2F300+=+7200%2Fx
Divide both sides by 7200
1%2F200+%2B+1%2F300+=+1%2Fx
Multiply both sides by 600x
3x+%2B+2x+=+600
5x+=+600
x+=+120
Working together, it takes them 120 minutes to make 7200 cans