Problema Solution

Bert can clean the sidewalks around the building in 2 hours by using a blower. Dennis can do the same job in 8 hours using a broom. How long would it take them working together?

Answer provided by our tutors

Bert's rate is 1/2 sidewalks per hour.

Dennis's rate is 1/8 sidewalks per hour.

Let 'x' represent the number of hours that Bert and Dennis need to clean the sidewalk together.

The together rate is 1/x sidewalks per hour.

1/2 + 1/8 = 1/x

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click here to see the equation solved for x

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x = 1.6 hr

x = 1 hr 0.6*60 min

x = 1 hr 36 min

It will take them 1 hour and 36 minutes to finish the job together.