Hello to all! We have a very difficult homework and I don't know to answer it. I thing it is about Quadratic Equation. Here is the word problem:

Genelle and Eljen can paint a room together in 4 hours. Working alone, Genelle can paint the room in two hours less than Eljen can. Find how long it takes Eljen to paint the room alone.

Please, I am begging you… I want the answer and how to solve it……
Thank You Very much and your right answer could be greatly appreciated.
Thank You once again….

\frac{1}{t}+\frac{1}{t-2}=\frac{1}{4}

If you are still lost
2t-2=4
OK

I think that you got lost mathwiz...

That becomes t^2 - 10t + 8 = 0

You cannot add the two denominators like that. It's like:

\frac12 + \frac12

That is not equal to \frac14 because two halves make one whole.

Best way to look at this is, you have two scenarios.. them painting the room together.. ie G+E=4, and then E doing it on her own. We know E takes 2 hours longer than G, so E-G=2. Can you solve these two simultaneous equations... hint add them. You should get E=3.

No, your reasoning is not good g13544055.

If both are working, they should be taking less time. However, with your equation, E alone takes 3 hours, then with the help of someone, they take 4 hours, that's just not right at all!!