Question 756295
Let x=amount of time it takes Maria working alone to complete the job
Then maria works at the rate of 1/x of the job per hour
Paula works at the rate of 1/3 of the job per hour
Maria and Paula together work at the rate of 1/2 of the job per hour
Sooooo, our equation to solve is:
1/x+1/3=1/2  multiply each term by 6x
6+2x=3x  subtract 2x from each side
x=6 hours----time it takes Maria working alone to complete the job

CK
In 2 hours, Paula completes 2/3 of the job, leaving 1/3 to be done
In 2 hours,  Maria completes 2/6=1/3 of the job
1/3+2/3=The Job

Hope this helps---ptaylor