Question 219728
Let x=amount of time it takes both working together to complete the newspaper route
Then, together, they work at the rate of 1/x of the newspaper route per min
Trent works at the rate of 1/30 of his newspaper route per min
Lois works ar the rate of 1/20 of the route per min
So, our equation to solve is:
1/30 + 1/20= 1/x multiply each term by 60x
2x +3x=60
5x=60
x=12 min-----amount of time it takes both working together to complete the newspaper route

CK
In 12 min Trent completes (1/30)*12 =12/30=2/5 of his route
In 12 min Lois completes (1/20)*12=12/20=3/5 of the route
2/5 + 3/5=5/5
1=1 (newspaper route, that is)

Hope this helps---ptaylor