Word Problem

[Stine]

Can I get a little help with setting this word problem up?

Working together, Jane & Alexis can sew a quilt in 4 days. It takes Jane 6 days to sew a quilt on her own. How many days does it take Alexis to sew a quilt by herself?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!! :wink:

 

[arthur ohlsten]

THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALWAYS EASY IF YOU THINK OF RATES
You can add rates.

let the ize of the quilt be Q
let J be Janes rate,then
J=Q/6 quilts per day

let A be alex rate
find A

4=Q/[J+A]
4=Q/[Q/6+A]
4[Q/6+A]=Q
4Q/6 +4A=Q
4A=6Q/6-4Q/6
4A=2Q/6
A=Q/12 days

It takes Alex 12 days to sew a quilt

 

[skeeter]

jane's rate of work = (1 job)/(6 days)

alexis' rate of work = (1 job)/(x days)

working together ...

[(1 job)/(6 days) + (1 job)/(x days)]*(4 days) = 1 job done

[(1/6) + (1/x)]4 = 1

solve for x, you will find out that alexis works kinda slow.

 

[Stine]

Thank you for all the help!

 

[arthur ohlsten]

you are welcome
Arthur