SOLUTION: an experienced painter can paint a fence twice as fast as an inexperienced painter. Working together, the painters require 4 hours to piant the fence. How long would it take the

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: an experienced painter can paint a fence twice as fast as an inexperienced painter. Working together, the painters require 4 hours to piant the fence. How long would it take the       Log On


   

Question 619983: an experienced painter can paint a fence twice as fast as an inexperienced painter. Working together, the painters require 4 hours to piant the fence. How long would it take the experienced painter, working alone, to paint the fence?
4/2x + 4/x = 1
x= 6 hours for the inexperienced painter?
3 hours for the experienced painter?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1/x + 1/(2x) = 1/4

4/x + 4/(2x) = 1

8/(2x) + 4/(2x) = 1

12/(2x) = 1

12 = 2x

12/2 = x

6 = x

x = 6

2x = 2*6

2x = 12


So 6 hours for the experienced painter and 12 hours for the inexperienced painter.