Question 996414
Jim and Shirley, working together, can rake the yard in 3 hours. Working alone, Shirley takes three times as long as Jim. How long does it take Jim to rake the yard alone?
let x=time it takes jim to rake the yard alone
1/x=his work rate
let x=time it takes Shirley to rake the yard alone
1/3x=her work rate
sum of indv. work rates=work rate working together
1/x+1/3x=1/3
lcd:3x
3+1=x
x=4
time it takes jim to rake the yard alone=4 hrs