Question 1117563
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Use the standard method for solving "working together" problems: make an equation showing the fractions of the job that each worker does in a fixed amount of time.<br>
Let x be the number of hours required by the slower machine; then x-1 is the number of hours required by the faster machine.<br>
Then the fractions of the job each does in 1 hour are 1/x and 1/x-1.<br>
And the fraction of the job they do together in 1 hour is 1/2.<br>
So<br>
{{{1/x + 1/(x-1) = 1/2}}}<br>
Multiply both sides of the equation by the least common denominator to clear fractions.  You will end up with a quadratic equation that does not factor; so you will need to get your irrational answer using the quadratic formula or something like a graphing calculator.