Question 98216
Let x=amount of time it takes John and Julie to clean the house working together

John cleans at the rate of 1/8 house per hour

Julie cleans at the rate of 1/6 house per hour

Together, they clean at the rate of (1/8+1/6) house per hour, or

1/8+1/6 =3/24+4/24= 7/24 house per hour

Now our equation to solve is:

(7/24)x=24/24  (note: here 24/24 represents 1 house)

7x=24  divide both sides by 7

x=24/7 or 3 3/7 hours


Hope this helps----ptaylor