Can someone please help me to answer this math question? Please? I will fan and give a medal...

Question

abbycross167 · Answer

A laborer can do a certain job in 5 days, a second can do the job in 6 days, and a third in 8 days. In what time can the three together do the job?

mertsj · Answer

The first laborer does 1/5 jobs per day.  In x days he does x/5 jobs.

mertsj · Answer

What does the second laborer do in one day?

abbycross167 · Answer

1/6 = x/6? @Mertsj

abbycross167 · Answer

@jim_thompson5910  would you mind helping me please?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

`A laborer can do a certain job in 5 days` the person can do 1/5 of the job in 1 day
`a second can do the job in 6 days` the person can do 1/6 of the job in 1 day
`a third in 8 days.` the person can do 1/8 of the job in 1 day


agreed so far?

abbycross167 · Answer

yes sir

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

now add up all the fractions

1/5+1/6+1/8 = ???

abbycross167 · Answer

59/120

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

yes

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

their combined rate is 59/120 jobs per day

(combined rate)*(time) = 1
(59/120)*t = 1

solve for t

abbycross167 · Answer

how would I do that?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

multiply both sides by the reciprocal of 59/120

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

$$\Large \frac{59}{120}t = 1$$
$$\Large \frac{120}{59}*\frac{59}{120}t = \frac{120}{59}*1$$
$$\Large t = \frac{120}{59} \approx 2.0339$$
so it will take them about 2.0339 days (a little over 2 whole days) if the three work together. This is assuming that they can work together and not get in each other's way, slow each other down, etc.

abbycross167 · Answer

Thank you so much for the help!! You're  amazing!

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

np