Cynthia could peel 6 pears in 9 minutes and Terry could peel 4 pears in 7 minutes. How many minutes would it take them to peel 50 pears if Cynthia started peeling 3 minutes before Terry joined in?

Answer 1

Well Cynthia can peel 6 pears/9 minutes = 2/3 pear/minute

Terry can peel 4 pears/7 minutes = 4/7 pear/minute

Working together, they can peel 2/3 + 4/7 or 1.238 pears/minute = 26 pears/21 minutes

If Cynthia starts 3 minutes early, she peels 2/3(3) = 2 pears in that 3 minute span so there are 48 pears left

Then, 48 pears/(26 pears/21 minutes) = 38.77 minutes

So, to peel all 50 pears, it takes 3 minutes + 38.77 minutes = 41.77 minutes