Tom can paint a house in 16 hours and bob can paint a house in 12 hours. How long would it take them to paint the house if they worked together

Question

It is math it is algebra 2 so I need help

Answer 1

Let x = number of hours it takes for both to paint the house

 

1/16 = portion of house painted by Tom in 1 hour

1/12 = portion of house painted by Bob in 1 hour

1/x = portion of house painted by both in 1hour

 

1/16 + 1/12 = 1/x

 

Multiply by 48x (the LCD):  3x + 4x = 48

 

                                                7x = 48

 

                                                 x = 48/7 hours