Question 1089241
Let {{{ t }}} = Alberta's time in hrs  to pick on monday
{{{ t + 2 }}} = Ernie's time in hrs  to pick on tuesday
{{{ 5 }}} = their time in hrs picking together on wednesday
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I think what they are not telling you is that they need a
certain amount of berries each day, and they stop picking
when they get that amount. I can call that amount [ 1 load of berries ]
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Alberta's rate of picking:
[ 1 load of berries ] / [ t hrs ]
Ernie's rate of picking:
[ 1 load of berries ] / [ t + 2  hrs ]
Their rate of picking working together:
[ 1 load of berries ] / [ 5 hrs ]
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Add their individual rates to get their rate working together
{{{ 1/t + 1/(( t+2 )) = 1/5 }}}
Multiply each side by {{{ 5t*( t+2 ) }}}
{{{ 5*( t + 2 ) + 5t = t*( t + 2 ) }}}
{{{ 5t + 10 + 5t = t^2 + 2t }}}
{{{ 10t + 10 = t^2 + 2t }}}
{{{ t^2 - 8t - 10 = 0 }}}
Complete the square
{{{ t^2 - 8t + (-8/2)^2 = 10 + (-8/2)^2 }}}
{{{ t^2 - 8t + 16 = 10 + 16 }}}
{{{ ( t - 4 )^2 = ( sqrt(26) )^2 }}}
{{{ t - 4 = sqrt(26 ) }}}
{{{ t = 4 + sqrt( 26 ) }}}
This is Ernies exact time in hrs
{{{ sqrt(26) = 5.1 }}}
{{{ t = 4 + 5.1 }}}
{{{ t = 9.1 }}} 
Ernie's approximate time in hrs
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check the answer:
{{{ 1/t + 1/(( t+2 )) = 1/5 }}}
{{{ 1/(( 4 + sqrt(26) )) + 1/(( 6 + sqrt(26) )) = 1/5 }}}
{{{ 5*( 6 + sqrt(26) ) + 5*( 4 + sqrt(26) ) = ( 6 + sqrt(26) )*( 4 + sqrt(26) )  }}}
{{{ 30 + 5*sqrt(26) + 20 + 5*sqrt(26) = 24 + 10*sqrt(26) + 26 }}}
{{{ 50 + 10*sqrt(26) = 50 + 10*sqrt(26) }}}
OK
( you can check using {{{ t = 9.1 }}} also )