402 algebra De mystif ieD
PRACTICE- Alex and Tina working together can peel a bag of potatoes in 6 minutes.
By herself Tina needs 5 minutes more than Alex to peel the potatoes by
herself. How long would each need to peel the potatoes if they were to
work alone? - Together Rachel and Jared can wash a car in 16 minutes. Working alone
Rachel needs 24 minutes longer than Jared does to wash the car. How
long would it take for each Rachel and Jared to wash the car? - Two printing presses working together can print a magazine order in
6 hours. Printing Press I can complete the job alone in 5 fewer hours than
Printing Press II. How long would each press need to print the run by itself? - Together two pipes can fill a small reservoir in 2 hours. Working alone
Pipe I can fill the reservoir in 1 hour 40 minutes less time than Pipe II
can. How long would each pipe need to fill the reservoir by itself? - John and Gary together can unload a truck in 1 hour 20 minutes. Work-
ing alone John needs 36 minutes more to unload the truck than Gary
needs. How long would each John and Gary need to unload the truck
by himself?
✔SOLUTIONS
- Let t represent the number of minutes Alex needs to peel the potatoes.
Tina needs t + 5 minutes to complete the job alone.
Worker Quantity Rate TimeAlex (^11) t^ t
Tina (^1) t^1 + 5 t + 5
Together 1
1
6
6
The equation to solve is^11
5
1
tt 6
+ = .
- The LCD is 6t(t + 5).
11
5
1
6
651 651
5
651
6
tt
tt
t
tt
t
tt
=
+⋅++⋅
() () =+()⋅
PRACTICE
- Alex and Tina working together can peel a bag of potatoes in 6 minutes.
By herself Tina needs 5 minutes more than Alex to peel the potatoes by
PRACTICE- Alex and Tina working together can peel a bag of potatoes in 6 minutes.