Question 947922
An elementary school teacher can assemble and staple the weekly newsletter four times faster than her student aide. Working together, they can assemble and staple the letters in 8 minutes. How long would it take each, working alone, to complete the job?

Let x=time required by teacher
Then 4x=time required by aid
Teacher works at the rate of 1/x of the newsletter per minute
Aid works at the rate of 1/4x of the newsletter per minute
We are told that together they work at the rate of 1/8 of the newsletter per minute
Sooooo
1/x + 1/4x=1/8  multiply each term by 8x
8+2=x
x=10 minutes------ time required by the teacher
4x=4*10=40 minutes----time required by aid
CK
1/10+1/40=???1/8
4/40+1/40=1/8
5/40=1/8
1/8=1/8

Hope this helps----ptaylor