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genelleestremos · Nov 21, 2009, 07:24 PM

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….

galactus · Nov 22, 2009, 04:07 AM

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

mathwiz3502 · Nov 30, 2009, 05:29 PM

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

Unknown008 · Dec 1, 2009, 08:21 AM

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.

g13544055 · Dec 1, 2009, 10:55 AM

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.

Unknown008 · Dec 1, 2009, 12:02 PM

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!!