College Algebra

Question

Tommy can paint a fence in 15 hours. If his friend Huck helps, they can paint the fence in 1 hour. How fast could Huck paint the fence by himself?

Answer 1

Let x = time it takes for Huck to paint the fence alone

 

1/15 = portion of fence painted per hour by Tommy

1/x = portion of fence painted per hour by Huck

1/1= 1 = portion of fence painted per hour if they both paint

 

Then, 1/15 + 1/x = 1

 

            x + 15 = 15x

 

                 14x = 15

 

                    x = 15/14 = 1 1/14 hours