# Thread: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

1. ## Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

Alex can tile a floor in 45 hours. Chandra can tile the same floor in 36 hours. How long will it take them to tile the floor if they work together? Be very descriptive and please help me. I think there could be an equation for this, and give me a link if you know any that help with these types of problems.

2. ## Re: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

Originally Posted by IcyShark
Alex can tile a floor in 45 hours. Chandra can tile the same floor in 36 hours. How long will it take them to tile the floor if they work together? Be very descriptive and please help me. I think there could be an equation for this, and give me a link if you know any that help with these types of problems.
alex's rate of work = $\frac{1 \, floor}{45\, hrs}$

chan's rate of work = $\frac{1 \, floor}{36\, hrs}$

rate of work together = $\frac{1 \, floor}{45\, hrs} + \frac{1 \, floor}{36\, hrs}$

(rate of work together)(time together in hours) = 1 floor tiled

3. ## Re: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

Okay, thanks, how do you make the thing solved? I'm new to this site.

4. ## Re: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

Oh, wait, I still don't get it, how do you solve it and what's the answer?

5. ## Re: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

The answer is .05, but .05 what?

6. ## Re: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

1/45 + 1/36 = 1/20 : so in 1 hour together, they complete 1/20 of the job. Capish?

7. ## Re: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

Originally Posted by IcyShark
The answer is .05, but .05 what?
Have you forgotten what the question was?

8. ## Re: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

The ans is 20hrs.....u take the fraction each person does at 1 hr which is 1/45 & 1/36.u add them up 2 get the fraction of both in 1 hr.1/45+1/36=1/20......then u take the reciprocal n u get 20hrs

9. ## Re: Two people are tiling a floor at the same time.

Originally Posted by valentine
....then u take the reciprocal n u get 20hrs
What does n u mean?