Question 343674
working together ; they each paint some FRACTION of the house , based on their individual rates


if x is the combined time , Joe's fraction is x/2 and Fred's fraction is x/8
___ the fractions add to one (the WHOLE house)


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


multiplying by 8 ___ 4x + x = 8 ___ 5x = 8


dividing by 5 ___ x = 8/5 = 1 hr 36 min