An experienced computer technician can set up a network in 12 hours. It would take an intern 20 hours to set up the same network. If they work together, how long will it take to set up the network?
The rate of the expierenced technician is 1/12

It takes ______ hours for the experienced technician and the intern to set up the network if they work together.

Question

An experienced computer technician can set up a network in 12 hours. It would take an intern 20 hours to set up the same network. If they work together, how long will it take to set up the network? 
The rate of the expierenced technician is 1/12

It takes ______ hours for the experienced technician and the intern to set up the network if they work together.

kl0723 · Answer

for this problem you are given a hint and that's the rate at which the experienced worker does the job = 1/12

kl0723 · Answer

what would be the rate at which the intern does the job?

maddytarin_98 · Answer

that is unknown ?

kl0723 · Answer

if the experienced person can do 1 network in 12 hours his rate is 1/12

kl0723 · Answer

so the intern can do 1 network setup in 20 hours, his rate will be 1/20

kl0723 · Answer

you can add both rates 1/12+1/20 = 1/t

maddytarin_98 · Answer

ohh okay so thats what i should fill in?

kl0723 · Answer

why 1/t? because they complete 1 network in (t) amount of time

kl0723 · Answer

did you add the rates? that should be equal to 1/t

maddytarin_98 · Answer

no i didn't !

maddytarin_98 · Answer

so t=1/32 ?

wolf1728 · Answer

No 
Add 1/12 plus 1/20

kl0723 · Answer

you should get that 1/12 + 1/20 = 2/15

kl0723 · Answer

and that addition of rates is equal to 1 network setup in a given time (t)

kl0723 · Answer

2/15 = 1/t

kl0723 · Answer

makes sense?

maddytarin_98 · Answer

im so confused on whats the answer ;(

kl0723 · Answer

the answer is t we're trying to solve for it

kl0723 · Answer

was the addition of the rates confusing?

maddytarin_98 · Answer

yeah I'm on a timed quizzes and I appreciate the help and interactiveness, but I'm looking for answers :( thank you so much id understand if you didn't want to help anymore

kl0723 · Answer

I understand, so we had that 2/15 = 1/t

kl0723 · Answer

you can now flip both sides of the equation and isolate t

kl0723 · Answer

$$t = \frac{ 15 }{ 2}$$

kl0723 · Answer

what's 15/2 in hours?

wolf1728 · Answer

In one hour  2/15 of a network is set up.

2/15 Network/Hour

We need to know how many hours per network 

So it becomes 15/2 hours

kl0723 · Answer

exacly so t = 15/2 = 7.5 hours

maddytarin_98 · Answer

THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING me 7.5 was correct !!!

wolf1728 · Answer

Thanks maddy and good work kI0723

kl0723 · Answer

np, please take some time to understand what's going on, it's always important for future courses

kl0723 · Answer

thanks @wolf1728

wolf1728 · Answer

thanks - you did very well

maddytarin_98 · Answer

yeah! I totally agree! its just that my summer school is due tomorrow and i have so much to do and i know i sound greedy but i really need answers :(