Thread: Need Help with a simple algebra problem

Unfortunately I suck at simple word problems like this, even though the solution for this problem will probably be very simple, but here it goes:

"If Sally can paint a house in 4 hours, and John can paint the same house in 6 hours, how long will it take for both of them to paint the house together?"

The answer is two hours and twenty four minutes; I just don't know how to get this answer. Please, someone help!!!

Originally Posted by grigorr

Unfortunately I suck at simple word problems like this, even though the solution for this problem will probably be very simple, but here it goes:

"If Sally can paint a house in 4 hours, and John can paint the same house in 6 hours, how long will it take for both of them to paint the house together?"

The answer is two hours and twenty four minutes; I just don't know how to get this answer. Please, someone help!!!

In an hour, Sally paints 1/4 of a house and John paints 1/6 of a house. Add them and get 5/12 of a house per hour working together. 1 house divided by 5/12 houses/hour equals 12/5 = 2 + 2/5 = 2 hours 24 minutes.