<PRE><B>Question 517203</B>
An experienced accountant can balance the books twice as fast as a new accountant. Working together it takes the accountants 6 hours. How long would it take the experienced accountant working alone?
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New accountant time: 2x hrs ; rate = 1/(2x) job/hr
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Experienced Account: time = x hrs ; rate = 1/x job/hr
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Together : time = 6 hrs/job  ; rate = 1/6 job/hr
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Equation:
rate + rate = together rate
1/(2x) + 1/x = 1/6
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Multiply thru by 12x to get:
6 + 12 = 2x
2x = 18
x = 9 hrs (time for the experienced accountant to do the job)
2x = 18 hrs (time for the new accountant to do the job)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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