Question 211471
A clerk is assigned a job that she can complete in 8 hours.
 After she has been working 2 hours, another clerk, who is able to do the job in 10 hours, is assigned to help her.
 In how many hours will the clerks, working together, finish the job?
:
Let x = time working together
then
(x+2) = total time working by the 1st clerk
:
Let the completed job = 1
;
A typical shared work equation:
{{{((x+2))/8}}} + {{{x/10}}} = 1
Multiply equation by 40 to get rid of the denominators, results:
5(x+2) + 4x = 40
5x + 10 + 4x = 40
5x + 4x = 40 - 10
9x = 30
x = {{{30/9}}}
x = 3{{{1/3}}} hrs working together
:
;
Check solution; (1st clerk worked 5.33 hrs)
5.33/8 + 3.33/10 = 
.67 + .33 = 1