Question 173461
Let x=amount of time it takes Jan and Wade together to paint the room
Together they paint at the rate of 1/x room per hour
Jan paints at the rate of 1/8 room per hour
Wade paints at the rate of 1/10 room per hour
Together they paint at the rate of 1/8 + 1/10=5/40 + 4/40=9/40 room per hour
So, our equation to solve is:
(9/40)x=1 (1 room that is) multiply each side by 40
9x=40 divide each side by 9
x=4 4/9 hours to paint the room with both working together

Another way:
1/x = 9/40  multiply each side by 40x
40=9x
x=40/9 hours

CK
(1/8)*(40/9)+ (1/10)*(40/9)=1 (room)
5/9 +4/9=1
9/9=1
1=1

Does this help?----ptaylor