Pre-Calc Word Prob: Tina can write, design direct mail package 2 days faster...

[jam108]

Hi Folks. I am teaching myself college algebra and have been trying to get this quadratic formula problem right for 4 hours without success.
Using a computer design package, Tina can write and design a direct mail package in two days less time than it takes to create the same package using traditional design methods. If Tina uses the computer and her assistant Curt uses traditional methods, and together they complete the job in 3.5 days, then how long would it have taken Curt to do the job alone using traditional methods. The answer the book gives is (9 + sqrt 53)/2 or 8.14 days

I've tried 1/x + 1/(x-2) =1/3.5 and x + x-2 = 3.5, but have not been to come up with the answer the book gives. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

 

[mmm4444bot]

Using a computer design package, Tina can write and design a direct mail package in two days less time than it takes to create the same package using traditional design methods. If Tina uses the computer and her assistant Curt uses traditional methods, and together they complete the job in 3.5 days, then how long would it have taken Curt to do the job alone using traditional methods …

I've tried 1/x + 1/(x-2) =1/3.5 and x + x-2 = 3.5, but have not been to come up with the answer the book gives. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

The blue equation is correct, and the red equation is incorrect.

Please show your work on solving the blue equation.

Hints to start:

Combine the two algebraic ratios (on the left-hand side) into a single ratio.

1/3.5 = 2/7 :cool:

 

[stapel]

Using a computer design package, Tina can write and design a direct mail package in two days less time than it takes to create the same package using traditional design methods. If Tina uses the computer and her assistant Curt uses traditional methods, and together they complete the job in 3.5 days, then how long would it have taken Curt to do the job alone using traditional methods.

The answer the book gives is (9 + sqrt 53)/2 or 8.14 days

I've tried 1/x + 1/(x-2) =1/3.5 and x + x-2 = 3.5, but have not been to come up with the answer the book gives. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

To learn how to set up and solve this sort of "combined work" exercise, try here. If you're still stuck, please reply with answers to the following:

How have you defined "x"? By what logic did you arrive that your equations?

Thank you!