SOLUTION: An apprentice mason takes 8h longer to build a small fireplace than an experienced mason. Working together, they can build the fireplace in 3h. How long would it take each mason, w

Algebra ->  Rate-of-work-word-problems -> SOLUTION: An apprentice mason takes 8h longer to build a small fireplace than an experienced mason. Working together, they can build the fireplace in 3h. How long would it take each mason, w      Log On


   

Question 37112This question is from textbook Introductory Algebra An Applied Approach
: An apprentice mason takes 8h longer to build a small fireplace than an experienced mason. Working together, they can build the fireplace in 3h. How long would it take each mason, working alone, to complete the fireplace? This question is from textbook Introductory Algebra An Applied Approach

Answer by Paul(988) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Apprentince takes x+8 hours
And experinced worker takes x hours
Together it is 3 hours
EQUATION:
1%2F%288%2Bx%29%2B1%2Fx=1%2F3
8+x+x=[(x)(x+8)]/3
2x+8=(x^2+8x)/3
6x+24=x^2+8x
x^2+2x-24=0

solve that and you get x=4
4+8=12
Hence, it takes an apprentice 12 hours to do that job and it takes an experinced worker 4 hours to do the job.
Paul.