Problema Solution

Rodney and tommy can build a cabinet together in 12 hours. Rodney can build the cabinet alone in 16 hours. How long will it take tommy to build the cabinet alone?

Answer provided by our tutors

lets assume that Tommy can build the cabinet alone in x hours


Tommy can build the cabinet alone in x hours means his rate is 1/x cabinets per hour


Rodney can build the cabinet alone in 16 hours thus his rate is 1/16 cabinets per hour


Rodney and Tommy can build a cabinet together in 12 hours means their together rate is 1/12 cabinets per hour


1/x + 1/16 = 1/12


by solving we find:


x = 48 hr


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Tommy needs 48 hours to build the cabinet alone.