Two companies working together can clear a parcel of land in 26 hours. Working alone, it would take Company A 10 hours longer to clear the land than it would Company B. How long would it take Company B to clear the parcel of land alone? (Round your answer to the nearest tenth.)

Respuesta :

We will define the following variables to solve the problem:
 x = number of hours worked by company A
 y = number of hours worked by company B
 We define the following system of equations:
 x + y = 26
 x = y + 10
 Solving the system we have:
 x + y = 26
 (y + 10) + y = 26
 2y + 10 = 26
 y = (26-10) / 2
 y = 16/2
 y = 8
 We solve for x:
 x = 8 + 10
 x = 18
 Answer:
 it would take the company B to clear the parcel of land alone about 8 hours.