Question

working together, a man and a woman can do the
job in 8 hours. If either had to do it alone it would
take a woman 2 hours longer than a man.How long
would it take either person working alone?

Answer 1

Let M and W be the # of hours it takes for the man and woman to the job.

If they work together, we have \[1/M+1/W=1/8\].

However, if they work alone, we have W=M+2.

Plug this in the first equation and solve for M, then W. :D

Answer 2

\[\left( 1\right)/\left( x \right)+\left( 1 \right)/\left( x+2 \right)=\left( 1 \right)/\left( 8 \right)\]

Answer 3

how do I solve this?

Answer 4

In this case, the solution would go as follows:

\[1/M + 1/(M+2)= 1/8\]
\[8[(M+2)+M]=M(M+2)\]
\[8M+16+8M =M^2+2M\]
\[M^2-14M-16=0\]

and I don't know what went wrong but M became irrational.

Answer 5

quadratic equation

Answer 6

thanks

Answer 7

x= 15.06