Problema Solution

A homeowner estimates that it will take him 9 days to roof his house. A professional roofer estimates that he could roof the house in 4 days. How long will it take if the homeowner helps the roofer?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


t = the days they need to roof the house when working together


the rate of the homeowner is 1/9 roofs per day


the rate of the professional roofer is 1/4 roofs per day


t(1/9) + t(1/4) = 1


by solving we find


t = 36/13


t = 2.77 days


t = 2 days 18.5 hours


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it will take them 2.77 days or 2 days and 18.5 hours to roof the house together.