Problema Solution

Working together, Sarah and Heidi can clean the garage in 2 hours. If they work alone, it takes Heidi 3 hours longer than it takes Sarah. How long would it take Heidi to clean the garage alone?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


h = the hour Heidi need to clean the garage alone thus her rate is 1/h garage per hour, h>0

s = the hours Sarah need to clean the garage alone thus her rate is 1/s garage per hour, s>0


Sarah and Heidi can clean the garage in 2 hours


1/h + 1/s = 1/2


If they work alone, it takes Heidi 3 hours longer than it takes Sarah


h = s + 3


plug h = s + 3 into 1/h + 1/s = 1/2


1/(s + 3) + 1/s = 1/2


by solving we find


s = 3 hr


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h = 3 + 3


h = 6 hr


Heidi will clean the garage alone in 6 hours.