Question

in 9th grade work and writing Anita can clean a typical pool in 8 hours. Chao can clean a typical pool in 6 hours. How long should it take Anita and Chao working together to clean a typical pool? Show all your work. Leave your final answer as an integer or reduced fraction.

Answer 1

Let x be the number of hours it takes Anita and Chao working together to clean a typical pool.

Anita's work rate: 1 pool / 8 hours = 1/8 pools per hour
Chao's work rate: 1 pool / 6 hours = 1/6 pools per hour

Combined work rate: Anita + Chao = 1/8 + 1/6 = 3/24 + 4/24 = 7/24 pools per hour

Since rate = work / time, we can set up the equation:

7/24 = 1 / x

Multiplying both sides by x:

7x/24 = 1

Multiplying both sides by 24:

7x = 24

Dividing by 7:

x = 24 / 7 = 3 3/7

So, it would take Anita and Chao working together approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes to clean a typical pool.