Question

Huck Finn can paint a fence in 5 hours. After some practice, Tom Sawyer can now paint the fence in 6 hours.How long would it take Huck and Tom to paint the fence together?

Answer 1

2.72 hours

Explanation:

Data provided:

Time taken by Huck Finn to paint the fence = 5 hours

Time taken by Tom to paint the fence = 6 hours

Now,

Fence painted in 1 hour by Huck Finn =
`(1)/(5)` of total fence

and,

Fence painted in 1 hour by Tom =
`(1)/(6)` of total fence

Therefore,

Total fence painted together by Huck and Tom in 1 hour =
`(1)/(5)`+
`(1)/(6)`

or

Total fence painted together by Huck and Tom in 1 hour =
`(5+6)/(5*6)`

or

Total fence painted together by Huck and Tom in 1 hour =
`(11)/(30)`

Hence,

Time taken by Huck and Tom to together paint the fence =
`(1)/((11)/(30))`

= 2.72 hours